When a Jaguar Catches Fire

Whether it be Science and its theories or Mythology and its beliefs, fire has had an important role to play. Speculation over the composition and form of fire has played an important role in the development of Science as it is. When it comes to mythology, fire has always been deified. In Indian mythology, rituals are always performed in the presence of fire.

But sometimes, if not most of the time, fire turns bad. It reveals its darker side. It burns things. Fire signifies destruction.

Fire gives out light. The very existence of fire is adequate proof that all good things have a much darker side.

This Monday, fire turned its dark face against an offshore support vessel, Coastal Jaguar, near the Vishakhapatnam Port. The ship caught fire around afternoon, killing one crew member among the 29 inside the ship.

According to an initial report, there was an explosion and the ship was engulfed in thick flames. All 29 crew members jumped into the sea when the fire broke out, 28 members have been rescued by the Indian Coast Guard while search is on for the one missing crew member, who is presumed to be dead.

Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Rani Rashmoni, which was in the vicinity, rushed to the spot and in coordination with VPT boats rescued the crew members and workers.

ICGS Samudra Paheredar and a Coast Guard helicopter have been deployed in the rescue operation. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined and efforts were on to douse the fire.