Kozhikode (Keralam) | A fire broke out in the engine and fuel tank of a fishing boat anchored beneath the old Farook bridge here on Thursday morning, fire and rescue service officials said.

The boat, named RJ, drifted towards the underside of the old bridge after the rope securing it caught fire and snapped, making firefighting operations difficult, they said.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel deployed two fire tenders, with one vehicle positioned on the bridge to spray water.

However, the boat continued to drift, hampering efforts to douse the flames.

Following this, two officers entered the river with ropes, swam towards the burning boat and secured it, officials said.

With the help of other personnel, they pulled the boat towards the shore.

The crew then removed an LPG cylinder from the boat, and a float pump was deployed to pump water and completely extinguish the fire, officials said, Officials suspect the fire started in the boat's engine, and the exact cause must be verified.

Officials said the timely intervention prevented the flames from spreading to other parts of the boat, except the engine section.

Police regulated traffic on the bridge during the firefighting operation, officials added.