Major Fire Breaks Out on Cargo Barge Under Maintenance at Kochi Shipyard

A major fire broke out aboard the cargo barge MV Vishalakshi while it was undergoing maintenance at Sea Blue Shipyard in Vypeen early Monday, prompting a prolonged firefighting operation involving multiple agencies.

According to Fire and Rescue Services officials, the blaze started on the vessel's deck at around 3 a.m. Shipyard workers initially attempted to extinguish the fire but were unable to contain it as flames spread across parts of the deck.

Three fire tenders were rushed to the scene, and firefighters battled the blaze for several hours. As the fire continued, authorities sought assistance from the firefighting team of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) , which arrived aboard another vessel and joined the operation.

The combined efforts of firefighters eventually brought the situation under control, preventing the fire from spreading further. However, officials said smoke was still emanating from sections of the deck as cooling operations continued.

No injuries or casualties were reported, averting what could have been a more serious incident at the shipyard. The fire also led to temporary disruption of activities in the immediate area while emergency teams focused on containment measures.

The cause of the fire remains unknown . Officials said experts will inspect the vessel once the blaze is completely extinguished to determine the source of the fire and assess the extent of the damage.

Authorities have launched an investigation, with safety and maintenance procedures likely to come under review as part of the inquiry.