Russian Tobago trawler caught fire at the port of Kirkenes (Norway) Sunday afternoon, February 28th. As of Monday morning, the fire has not been extinguished yet, a local NRK local television said. Firefighters teams failed to smother the fire, as they do not know the internal structure of the vessel.
The ship is reported to have at least 85 tons of diesel fuel on board. If the wind direction changes, the situation will most likely get worse. Since the vessel has a significant lurch, the firefighters fear it may capsize and sink, causing the port waters pollution by oil products. Boom barriers had already been set, but the accumulation of ice complicate currently the elimination of consequences of a possible oil spill, local emergency service said.
The local TV channel also reported that the ship’s 6 crew members had been evacuated, before the fire broke out. The vessel’s captain was taken to hospital with minor injuries after he stumbled during the evacuation.
The ship is reported to have at least 85 tons of diesel fuel on board. If the wind direction changes, the situation will most likely get worse. Since the vessel has a significant lurch, the firefighters fear it may capsize and sink, causing the port waters pollution by oil products. Boom barriers had already been set, but the accumulation of ice complicate currently the elimination of consequences of a possible oil spill, local emergency service said.
The local TV channel also reported that the ship’s 6 crew members had been evacuated, before the fire broke out. The vessel’s captain was taken to hospital with minor injuries after he stumbled during the evacuation.