On January 4, 2025, at 23:22, the second engineer noticed ignited fuel dropping from the upper deck of the vessel. In response, the crew activated the carbon dioxide fixed fire extinguishing system and sealed the engine room to contain the threat.
The ship’s master promptly notified the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department, with firefighters arriving on board at 23:50. After allowing an appropriate soak time, shoreside firefighters entered the engine room and confirmed that the fire was fully extinguished by 00:37 on January 5.
Investigators later determined that a misalignment issue had contributed to the incident. An O-ring within the burner unit’s oil fittings block had become pinched between two modules, preventing the seal from functioning correctly. This misalignment allowed pressurized fuel to leak, ultimately leading to the ignition that sparked the fire.
The swift actions of the vessel’s crew and the timely response from firefighting teams were crucial in managing the hazardous situation, ultimately preventing what could have escalated into a more severe disaster.
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