Fishing boat gutted in fire near Azhikkal; loss pegged at ₹50 lakh

A fishing boat was gutted in a fire triggered by a gas cylinder explosion near the Azhikkal port around 5 a.m. on Friday (November 7). No injuries were reported, but the loss is estimated at around ₹50 lakh.

According to initial reports, the vessel, Prem Sagar, owned by Antony Raja of Tamil Nadu, caught fire while anchored after its crew had been moved ashore. The boat, which had arrived from Munambam, had earlier run aground 60 nautical miles off Azhikkal during rough weather.

Fire and Rescue Services officials said a short circuit was suspected to have ignited the blaze while the workers, all from Kanyakumari, were resting in the auction hall. As locals and crew attempted to douse the flames, a gas cylinder on board exploded, spreading the fire to the diesel tank, causing a major blast.

Two units from the Kannur fire Station, led by assistant station officer P.M. Anil and teams from the coastal police and Valapattanam Fire and Rescue Services, reached the spot and brought the blaze under control after prolonged efforts. Nearby boats were quickly moved away, preventing a larger disaster.