SRINAGAR, India (AP) — An enormous fireplace Saturday engulfed a number of picket houseboats anchored in Indian-controlled Kashmir’s widespread Dal Lake and three charred our bodies have been recovered from the wreckage, officers stated.

Five houseboats and a few huts embedded in water have been diminished to ashes within the intense blaze that was extinguished after almost two hours by fireplace engines despatched from Srinagar, the primary metropolis in Indian-controlled Kashmir, stated Mir Aqib, a fireplace officer.

The explanation for the hearth is being investigated. Aqib stated some cooking gasoline cylinders exploded after the blaze began within the houseboats the place vacationers from outdoors Kashmir come and keep.

Police are looking for out whether or not the our bodies have been these of vacationers or native employees.

Some houseboats anchored close by have been faraway from the positioning, police stated.

Boat rides in Dal Lake are very fashionable with vacationers who additionally keep there throughout their go to to Srinagar, the primary metropolis in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since British colonialists gave them independence in 1947. Both international locations declare Kashmir in its entirety and have fought two wars over its management.