A chemical fire occurred on a visiting grain vessel at Port Taranaki in New Zealand, prompting a swift emergency response early Thursday morning.
Cause and Containment of the Fire
The fire was contained to a single drum of a hazardous substance:
- Substance Involved: Firefighters discovered that the fire involved a 40kg drum containing aluminium phosphide, a chemical used in fumigant sleeves to control pests in the vessel’s hold.
- Cause: Initial findings suggest the drum may have been damp, which can cause the fumigant sleeves to heat up and combust.
- Response: Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) was alerted at approximately 5:30 am and dispatched multiple crews and four specialist support vehicles from New Plymouth and Ōakura.
- Resolution: The fire was extinguished and the hazardous substance was stabilized shortly after 8 am. Firefighters subsequently carried out decontamination due to caustic fumes released during combustion.
Safety and Operational Impact
The port’s chief operating officer confirmed that the incident was localized and quickly managed:
- Crew Assessment: Ambulance officers assessed eight crew members at the scene. No one required transport to the hospital.
- Damage: The fire was contained to the drum, and there was no damage to the port infrastructure or the ship.
- Port Operations: Operations on Moturoa Wharf were temporarily suspended during the incident but had fully resumed by 9 am.
- Investigation: Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Marine Insight
