Parked boat gutted along Sabarmati Riverfront, no casualties

Ahmedabad: A boat anchored along the Sabarmati Riverfront beneath Gandhi Bridge was gutted in fire on Thursday.

According to officials of Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES), the blaze broke out in a boat belonging to a private agency that had been parked along the riverbank. As boating activities on the river remain suspended, the vessel was lying unused.

Motorists and pedestrians crossing Gandhi Bridge spotted thick plumes of smoke rising from the boat and alerted the fire control room. Following the distress call, two fire tenders were dispatched to the scene.

Firefighters faced difficulties in accessing the vessel directly due to its location along the riverfront. Teams initially launched firefighting operations from Gandhi Bridge itself, directing water jets onto the burning boat from above. The prompt action helped contain the fire before it could spread to nearby structures or other riverfront facilities.

Officials said the blaze was brought under control within a short time. Since the boat was not operational and there were no occupants on board, no injuries or casualties were reported.

A fire official said the exact cause of the fire has not yet been established. While a technical malfunction remains a possibility, preliminary findings have also raised suspicion of foul play, with indications that the boat may have been deliberately set on fire.

Police and fire department officials have initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the incident. Authorities are examining the vessel and reviewing available evidence to ascertain the cause of the blaze.