At least three people have died in fire in the houseboats at the iconic Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar.
The three have been identified as Bangladeshi tourists named Anindaya Kowshal, Mohammad Moinud, Das Gupta, according to police.
Five houseboats and seven huts have been gutted in the fires that were first reported in the early hours of Saturday. Eight people were rescued from the scene of fire.
Of the five houseboats gutted, the charred bodies were pulled out of Safeena, reporting PTI, adding that the other houseboats burnt are named abreena, Young Gulshan, Lala Rukh, and Khar Palace.
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Officials further told the agency that while the immediate cause of fire us not yet known, preliminary investigations suggest that fire broke out in one of the burnt houseboats due to a malfunctioning heating appliance.
Officials further told the agency that property worth crores of rupees as destroyed in the fires.
While the cause of the fires are also not yet known, preliminary reports suggested that it could be a case of a short circuit.
PTI reported, "The officials said DNA samples were taken from the victims to establish their identities, adding one of them was a woman, according to the records maintained by the houseboat operators. The bodies will be handed over to the family members only after matching the DNA, the officials said."
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Property worth crores of rupees were destroyed in the fire that broke out around 5.15 am, said officials further to PTI.
Expressing his anguish, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Sinha said, "I am deeply pained by the loss of lives due to the unfortunate fire incident at Dal Lake, Srinagar. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I have directed the District Administration to provide all necessary assistance to the affected persons."
Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Aijaz and senior tourism department officials visited the scene of the blaze on the Dal Lake and assured all possible help in rebuilding the damaged houseboats, said officials to PTI.
