Two fishing boats were completely destroyed after a massive fire broke out on Lake in southern India, triggering explosions and a challenging firefighting operation on the water. Two workers sustained minor burn injuries, while authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze.

The incident occurred near Mukkad in Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam district in southern India’s Kerala, on November 21.

Visuals from the scene show the two vessels engulfed in towering flames, with thick black smoke rising above the lake. Explosions from diesel tanks and multiple LPG cylinders onboard intensified the fire, sending debris flying and creating panic among those nearby.

Speaking to Newslions, Ullas, Fire Station Officer, Fire & Rescue Station, Chamakkada, Kollam, said that it is believed to have started in the kitchen of one of the boats before quickly spreading to the second vessel tied alongside it. Two migrant workers onboard, identified as Raju and Ashok, immediately untied the boats to prevent the flames from reaching other vessels. Both suffered minor injuries during the escape.

Fire and Rescue Service personnel from the Chamakada station were the first to respond, followed by additional fire tenders mobilized from nearby stations. With the boats afloat and positioned near Fathima Island, responders had to be transported by smaller boats, using floating pumps to battle the blaze due to the absence of land access.

Officials confirmed that each boat contained nearly 4,000 litres of diesel, along with four LPG cylinders, all of which exploded during the fire. Despite these challenges, firefighters managed to prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby houses along the Ashtamudi Lake bank and other docked vessels.

A high-level investigation is underway to determine the precise cause of the fire. Authorities have stressed the need for stricter safety protocols and better emergency preparedness in the region’s fishing industry following the incident.