Two houseboats in Srinagar's Dal Lake were destroyed by fire

Officials reported two houseboats on Dal Lake in Srinagar caught fire this morning and were completely destroyed. Officials from the fire department hurried to the scene to put out the fire and prevent it from spreading to other houseboats.

The fire entirely destroyed both the houseboats New Zealand and Apollo XI.

The cause of the fire, however, has yet to be determined, according to officials.

On the Dal lake, houseboats fashioned of local cedar are a popular tourist attraction. The houseboats, also known as floating palaces, are joined by bridges and are anchored individually on the Western side of the Dal lake. Each houseboat has a main section as well as a kitchen-boat-residence.