Four mechanised boats were gutted and one boat was partially damaged in a fire at Chinna Muttom boat building yard in the early hours of Friday. According to police, the fire broke out when an electrician, Muruganantham, was grilling an electric box for fixing a switch on it. The fire spread quickly as a spark fell on cans filled with chemical substances in the yard. The strong wind from the sea helped the fire spread.
Four fully built boats, belonging to Varghese and Victor of Kanyakumari and Rabi and Baiju of Thoothur, were completed gutted in the fire, while another boat belonging to Kasbar Raja of Koothapanai was partially damaged, sources said.
Mr. Muruganantham, who sustained burns, was admitted to a nearby private hospital, and three others fell unconscious. They were revived after first aid. The cost of the boats gutted and damaged in the fire is estimated to be over Rs. 3 crore. Chinna Muttom police have registered a case.
