Operations & Training

FL Firefighters Making Progress on Still-Burning Cargo Ship

June 8, 2020

Nine Jacksonville firefighters were injured last week during an explosion and fire aboard an auto hauler vessel at Blount Island.

By Teresa Stepzinski

Source The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville

The fire aboard an auto hauler ship continued burning Sunday. The M/V H'egh Xiamen cargo ship caught fire Thursday at Blount Island, injuring nine Jacksonville, FL, firefighters

An auto hauler vessel continued burning Sunday at Blount Island but the ship's owner said firefighters are making progress.

The M/V Hoegh Xiamen caught fire about 4 p.m. last Thursday shortly after the ship finished loading, Hoegh Autoliners said in a news release.

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The ship's crew escaped safely. However, nine Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department firefighters were injured. All but three were released from the hospital Friday.

Almost 150 firefighters respond to the fire on the Norwegian vessel.

Jacksonville firefighters as well as specialist marine firefighters with Resolve Marine Group continue working to extinguish the blaze on several decks, the company said Sunday.

The firefighter's focus is on cooling the ship's exterior. They're doing that via fire tugs alongside which are spraying water on the vessel.

An additional high capacity pump has also been deployed to significantly increase the amount of water on the hull.

There has been no report of any pollution, and this is being continually monitored. Containment booms have been placed around the vessel as a precautionary measure, according to the company.

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