Kochi | A major fire gutted a section of a cargo barge docked for maintenance at a private shipyard in Vypeen here on Monday, officials said.

According to Fire and Rescue Services officials, the fire broke out on the deck of a cargo barge, MV Vishalakshi, at around 3 am.

The vessel was undergoing maintenance work at Sea Blue Shipyard in Vypeen when shipyard employees noticed the fire and attempted to extinguish it, but were unsuccessful, officials said.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel were subsequently alerted, and three fire tenders were rushed to the spot.

Officials said the blaze continued for several hours despite firefighting efforts, prompting authorities to seek assistance from the firefighting team of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).

The team arrived at the site aboard another vessel and joined the operation to contain the fire.

The situation has since been brought under control, although smoke was still emanating from parts of the deck, officials said.

No casualties were reported in the incident.

The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Experts will examine the vessel after the blaze is completely extinguished, officials added.