On August 10, 2026, emergency teams responded to a fire in the engine room of the Dole Colombia, a Bahamas-flagged reefer ship, at Delaware’s Port of Wilmington. The ship, measuring over 600 feet and carrying a cargo of bananas, experienced a blaze that reportedly originated from a generator in the machinery space. Upon receiving a call about the incident at Berth 5, Wilmington Fire Department’s firefighters arrived and were briefed by the vessel’s captain, prompting the activation of a second alarm for reinforcements.
Firefighters swiftly engaged the ship’s onboard carbon dioxide fire suppression system and sealed the engine room to contain the flames and prevent further spread. All crew members were safely evacuated; however, one firefighter required medical assistance after inhaling a significant amount of smoke. Throughout the day, personnel from the Wilmington Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the ship’s crew monitored engine room temperatures and air quality.
The Dole Colombia, built in 1999 and designed for transporting fruits like bananas, has a strong safety record, including successful self-unloading capabilities. Notably, the vessel had previously experienced a fire in 2021 shortly before departure, which was extinguished before any serious consequences emerged. Engine room fires pose significant challenges due to the presence of generators and flammable materials, necessitating rapid and effective responses from the crew to safeguard lives and equipment.
