Fire hits cargo area of ship docked in Cebu

CEBU CITY, Philippines – A fire broke out in one of the vessels of Trans Asia Shipping Lines here yesterday morning while personnel of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) were inspecting it.

At least nine vessels of Trans Asia were ordered grounded following the sinking of the company’s M/V Asia Malaysia after it encountered strong winds and big waves as it sailed from Cebu City to Iloilo City last July 31.

Marina personnel were onboard M/V Trans-Asia 5 docked at the port when fire broke out at the ship’s cargo area.

Coast Guard station commander Chief Rolando Punzalan said the fire struck at around 10 a.m. yesterday and was put under control after 15 minutes.

Punzalan said a lighted cigarette caused the fire but this still had to be confirmed.

Flordelito Ortiz, chief of security and safety of Trans Asia, said they already ordered a thorough probe on the cause of the fire that also damaged the starboard side of M/V Trans-Asia 5.            

“This is just a minor incident,” Ortiz said, adding that smoking in any part of the vessel is a clear violation of the company’s safety rules and regulations.

“We immediately filed a formal complaint against our service provider, the arrastre company, for the damage such a negligent act of their personnel has committed,” Ortiz said in a statement issued to The Freeman.

Ortiz said the vessel had come from Ozamiz City and had been docked at the city’s Pier 5 since Monday. It was supposed to sail on Tuesday but this did not push through following the grounding of all Trans Asia vessels. – Freeman News Service, with Jennifer Ponsaran-Rendon