Jammu and Kashmir news: Three people were declared dead in a fire that broke out in a houseboat in Srinagar's Dal Lake on Saturday (November 11).
The bodies were retrieved from the debris of the gutted houseboats near ghat nine on the lake, a popular attraction for tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital, the officials said.
The cause of the fire, which engulfed five houseboats and as many huts attached to those, was not immediately known. The officials said preliminary investigations suggested that the fire broke out in one of the houseboats in the early hours due to malfunctioning of a heating appliance.
The victims' DNA samples were extracted to establish their identities, the officials said, adding they are believed to be from Bangladesh and included a woman, according to the records being maintained by the houseboat operators.
As per initial reports, at least half a dozen houseboats have been damaged due to the fire. Houseboats are floating palaces on the Dal and Nigeen Lakes in Srinagar city. These are high-end luxury dwellings engaged by affluent tourists and honeymooners who visit the Valley.
(With agencies inputs)
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