A massive fire erupted around 2:30 am on Sunday at a boat-anchoring point on Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam, Kerala, near Kureepuzha church and Ayyankovil temple, reportedly gutting at least 10 fishing boats anchored in a row.
Six Fire and Rescue units from Kollam contained the blaze by 7 am after reported gas cylinder explosions accelerated its spread, with locals untying nearby boats to limit damage; no casualties occurred, though fishermen from Kerala and Tamil Nadu suffered heavy losses.
Officials, including District Collector N Devidas, reportedly ordered a probe into the cause amid allegations of delayed response due to poor road access, marking this as the third such incident in the area.
Kollam Fishing Boats Fire
Ashtamudi Lake serves as a vital fishing hub in Kollam, where boats from local areas like Pozhiyoor and even Tamil Nadu anchor regularly. The fire broke out in the Kureepuzha area under Anchalumood police station, with residents spotting flames as early as 1:30 am.
Nine traditional wooden boats and one fibre boat were fully destroyed, while others partially sank or drifted while burning after locals pushed them into the lake to prevent wider spread, as per media reports. Several nearby Chinese fishing nets also caught fire, intensifying the chaos in this community-dependent zone.
Rapid Response Amid Explosions
Fire and Rescue Services deployed six units from across Kollam district around 3:45 am, battling intense flames fuelled by exploding gas cylinders and diesel tanks on the boats. Local residents joined efforts, untying and securing about 15 moored boats to safety, which helped contain the fire by morning.
A police officer noted a possible gas cylinder blast as the trigger, though the exact cause remains under investigation by authorities.
District Collector N Devidas visited the site, ordering a detailed inquiry and highlighting losses including boats owned by local fisherman Lawrance. No injuries occurred despite the proximity to landmarks like Kureepuzha church and Ayyankovil temple.
Fishermen’s Livelihoods Hit Hard
The destruction strikes at the heart of families relying on these vessels for daily income, with many boats valued as essential tools in Kerala’s fishing economy. Fishermen expressed distress over the sudden loss, compounded by this being the third boat fire in the area recently, raising questions on recurring risks.
Poor road access allegedly delayed initial response, forcing reliance on community action and boat-based firefighting. Officials emphasise no lives were lost, but the incident underscores vulnerabilities in anchoring practices at busy lake points. Visuals captured boats adrift in flames, evoking sympathy for affected workers.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This fire highlights the urgent need for enhanced safety measures, better infrastructure, and community-led vigilance to protect fishermen’s livelihoods in fragile ecosystems like Ashtamudi Lake.
The Logical Indian stands for empathy towards affected families, urging harmonious collaboration between authorities, locals, and fishermen to install fire suppression systems and improve access roads. Promoting dialogue and kindness can turn such tragedies into opportunities for positive change, ensuring coexistence with nature.
