A fire broke out in the engine room aboard the reefer ship Dole Colombia at the Port of Wilmington, Delaware on Monday. According to the local Wilmington Fire Department (WFD), the blaze ignited on one of the generators in the engine room around 10 AM, as reported by the master of the vessel. The WFD sounded a second alarm and deployed all available units, including mutual aid from nearby departments.
The ship's fixed firefighting system was activated, and the engine room was sealed to contain the fire and prevent its spread. All crew members were accounted for and safe during the incident. One firefighter inhaled smoke and was transported for evaluation, but no injuries were reported as of Monday evening.
Incident Response and Monitoring
The WFD deployed hose lines around the engine room to monitor conditions and ensure that the fixed firefighting system was effective. Once it was confirmed that the extinguishing system was holding the fire, the incident was placed under control, though firefighters continued monitoring the engine room temperatures and atmospheric conditions throughout the day.
Both the ship's crew and the U.S. Coast Guard monitored the affected space for safety reasons. The Dole Colombia, a 600-foot-long reefer vessel built in 1999, was carrying bananas when the incident occurred. This is not the first fire on this vessel; it suffered from a similar situation in 2021 while preparing to depart.
According to sources, an engine room fire can pose significant risks due to the presence of generators, fuel systems, lubricants, electrical equipment, and other components that could intensify or hinder firefighting efforts. The crew's quick action in isolating the area and activating the onboard suppression system was crucial in managing the situation effectively.