1 dies as vessel catches fire off Cebu

MANILA, Philippines — An officer died while three crewmembers were injured when a cargo ship caught fire in the waters off Talisay City in Cebu yesterday.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) identified the fatality as Nelson Polvoroso, 62, chief engineer of the M/V General Romulo.

The victim’s body had yet to be retrieved from the vessel as of yesterday morning.

Firefighters and rescue workers had difficulty retrieving the victim due to the extent of the blaze.

The vessel’s 19 crewmembers including the injured were taken to shore and were given treatment.

Reports said the captain ordered the crewmembers to abandon ship 30 minutes after the fire broke out at around 9:50 a.m.

Initial information said an explosion in the vessel’s pipe caused the fire.

The vessel, owned by Lorenzo Shipping Corp., came from Manila and was scheduled to dock at the port of Cebu City.

Firefighters were still trying to put out the blaze as of early yesterday afternoon.

Personnel of the PCG’s BRP Malamawi and Central Visayas District’s Special Operations Unit and Medical Unit as well as a motor boat of the Bantay Dagat responded to the incident.