A fire broke out on a vessel docked at a private ship maintenance yard in Kalamukku, Vypeen, in the early hours of Monday, prompting a massive response from fire and rescue units across Ernakulam district. The vessel, identified as a barge in preliminary reports, was undergoing maintenance and had completed a trial run the previous day, sparking concerns about the potential presence of fuel on board. Local residents first spotted the fire, reportedly near the engine section, around 4 a.m. and alerted the authorities.
Firefighters from multiple stations were rushed to the scene, with efforts focused on dousing the flames from outside by pumping water, as they have not yet been able to enter the vessel. The fire is described as major, with multiple units from various fire stations engaged in the challenging operation to extinguish the blaze. The incident has triggered considerable concern in the densely populated area, with efforts also underway to prevent the fire from spreading to other vessels anchored nearby. Local residents have raised concerns about the private shipyard’s operations, alleging that it has been functioning without a panchayat licence or approval from the Pollution Control Board.
