Container Ship Fire at Port of Tauranga

1996

On September 24, a fire reportedly broke out in the containership with fire-fighters breaking into the hatch to contain the fire.

What happened?

The fire erupted in the hull of the vessel ‘Kokopo Chief’ which was moored in Tauranga. The fire was doused by the ship’s CO2 suppression system after escalating temperatures set the system off.

Staff remove timber:

The containership was loaded with timber and the fire was dampened by the CO2, but staff are being vigilant as they remove the damaged timber.

Northern Fire Communications shift manager Colin Underdown said, “Staff had gone into the hull of the ship where the fire had been contained. They opened up the hatch cover and found no fire present – the CO2 dampened it out. The hatch cover and a lifting device used to lift the timber was damaged, so our guys are working with the ship’s crew to get the damaged timber out.”

Fire-fighters monitor the situation:

Nearly sixteen fire trucks from Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, Rotorua and Hamilton attended the blaze and remain at the scene in case the fire reignites during the extraction process. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of fire.

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Source: Stuff