Multiple Crews Battling Cargo Ship Blaze Off England

The UK Coastguard is coordinating the incident involving a cargo ship off Cromer, England. Photo: UK Coastguard

The Uk Coastguard and several other crews were battling a fire Wednesday aboard a cargo ship in the North Sea off England.

The Coastguard says it received a mayday call at about 5:20 a.m. Wednesday stating that the ship, carrying a cargo of wheat to Rotterdam, had a fire in its accommodation while off Cromer, England.

The Coastguard says it immediately broadcast a mayday relay message to other vessels in the area.

Two Coastguard helicopters, a lifeboat and two other vessels were sent to assist the crew of the ship, who remained onboard to fight the fire.

One Coastguard helicopter was taking six fire and rescue crew and their equipment out to the vessel, the Coastguard said in its latest update on the incident. An additional Coastguard rescue helicopter from Humberside were also on scene along with the Cromer RNLI Lifeboat and two other vessels, the update said.

The UK Coastguard also scrambled the Coastguard rescue helicopter and requested the launch of an RNLI lifeboat, both arriving on scene. An additional Coastguard helicopter was transporting the fire and rescue crew.

“The crew are still on board the vessel and keeping the fire under control,” said Ian Guy, for the UK Coastguard. “However, we have a rescue helicopter hovering above as well as a lifeboat on scene so that, should the need arise, they can evacuate the ship. The Humberside Fire and Rescue fire fighting crew will be on scene soon and will assess the fire at that point.”

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