NEWS

Fishing Vessel Catches Fire

Fishing vessel Long Jia Ming 6 caught fire at the Fiji Fish Jetty on Tuesday morning. Fiji Ports Corporation Limited chief executive officer, Vajira Piyasena, confirmed that the fire started
20 Oct 2017 11:09
Fishing Vessel Catches Fire
Fishing vessel Long Jia Ming 6 which was destroyed by fire at Fiji Fish Jetty on October 18, 2017.Photo:Vilimoni Vaganalau.

Fishing vessel Long Jia Ming 6 caught fire at the Fiji Fish Jetty on Tuesday morning.

Fiji Ports Corporation Limited chief executive officer, Vajira Piyasena, confirmed that the fire started at the engine room.

He said the fire quickly spread into other areas since the vessel was made of Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP).

“Attempts by the crew to extinguish the fire was unsuccessful.  The call was then made to abandon ship and pull her away from Fiji Fish jetty,” Mr Piyasena said.

At 1.15am the fishing vessel was towed away and beached at a nearby shallow patch.

The National Fire Authority confirmed that they responded to a fire call at the Fiji Fish wharf at around 12:35am.

“The Fire Team used water tank supply to extinguish the fire. The fire also resulted in an oil spillage at the Fiji Fish harbour. As part of its procedure, the Fire Team towed the boat away of the Fiji Fish wharf to contain the oil spillage,” a statement from NFA said.

The Fire Team is also trying to contain the oil spillage at the Fiji Fish harbour as a result of the fire, the statement said.

Edited by Rosi Doviverata

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