Houseboat catches fire in Kerala; couple from North Indian state saved due to timely intervention

ALAPPUZHA: A houseboat caught fire in the Thottathodu area near the Punnamada starting point. Loss of life was averted as the guests and staff were able to be brought ashore in time. A couple from North India were on board as guests. The boat was completely gutted.

The fire accident occurred on a boat called All Season, owned by Palaparambil Joseph Varghese, a native of Thatthampally. The fire broke out around 1 pm on Sunday. The initial conclusion is that the cause of the accident was a gas leak from a gas cylinder in the kitchen. The possibility of a short circuit is also being investigated. The fire was first seen by those on shore. The boat was moored to shore for lunch at the time.
The fire brigade, tourism police and locals tried to put out the fire but were unsuccessful. The fire was extinguished by completely submerging the boat in water.