CM Jagan orders probe into fire at Vizag fishing harbour

•  The fire started in one of the boats and spread to nearby boats
•  At least 20 boats were reduced to ashes
•  The cause of the fire is still being investigated
•  No one was injured in the incident

Visakhapatnam: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy ordered a probe into multiple explosions of LPG cylinders at Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour, the largest in Andhra Pradesh following a massive fire that took place in one of the boats, which spread to a nearby area on Sunday midnight.

None was injured in the incident. The loss caused to the boats is being estimated even as the authorities said they are ascertaining the facts to establish the exact cause of the fire. DCP (Law and Order) K Anand Reddy said on Monday that no casualties were reported. The incident was suspected to have taken place at around 11.30 pm on Sunday. In the fire that spread, at least 20 boats were reduced to ashes.

The Chief Minister expressed concern over the fire and ordered a probe into the accident and directed Fisheries Minister S Appala Raju to visit the fishing harbour and extend financial support to the fishermen who lost their boats in the incident.

During 2022-23, Visakhapatnam exported 2.64 lakh metric tonnes of seafood mostly frozen shrimp worth Rs 16,877 crore. Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) is one of the premier ports in seafood exports with a share of 26.36 per cent in the total export of maritime products.

Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour, which is the main hub for mechanised boats, is home for around 1100 boats. At the time of the incident, around 500 boats were anchored. “Despite our best efforts to save boats from getting damaged, as per our estimates, 40 were completely reduced to ashes,” Janakiram, president of Andhra Pradesh Mechanised Boat Operators’ Association, told Bizz Buzz on Monday. Fishermen alleged sabotage by some miscreants behind the massive fire. A source in VPA said on condition of anonymity that the fire could have originated from a stove while cooking or due to burning by someone out of frustration after India’s defeat in the World Cup ODI grand finale in Ahmedabad by Australia. He said they were ascertaining the facts.

The fishing harbour is under the administrative control of VPA. Fishermen use small LPG cylinders to prepare food for the crew while on voyage and at the time of anchorage. During partying also the fire might have ignited the fuel tank and other inflammables in one of the vessels.

Fishermen’s organisations claimed immediate relief for the heavy damage suffered by them and loss of livelihood for the boat owners as well as crew who depend on voyage for their survival. Each boat along with its accessories and fuel would cost around Rs 30 lakh to Rs 40 lakh, a boat owner said.

On receipt of information, fire tenders from VPA and District Fire Office were rushed to the spot. It took nearly four hours to extinguish the fire. The incident created panic in the vicinity with multiple blasts creating ear-splitting cacophony.