VISAKHAPATNAM: Over 25 mechanised fishing boats anchored at Vizag fishing harbour were gutted in a major fire on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.The fishermen and local police said that the fire, which started from one boat, soon spread to other boats anchored nearby.The fire mishap created a panic atmosphere as the LPG cylinders in the boats exploded with a huge sound.However, the exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.K Anand Reddy, deputy commissioner of police (Law and Order), said that more than four fire tenders were pressed into service to bring the fire under control.

So far, there is no report of loss of life, he added.The fishermen said that the fire has led to damage of around 40 fishing boats, each boat costing at least Rs 40 lakh.The police and fire service personnel said that they will ascertain the exact reasons behind the fire once they bring the fire under control.However, leaders of the fishermen community suspect that some miscreants might have set fire to one boat, causing this major accident.Just a few days ago, two people were injured after a mechanized fishing boat caught fire at Nizampatnam harbour in Bapatla district of Andhra Pradesh, when the boat was getting ready for a voyage into the sea.