Fire Destroys Accommodations Block of Vietnamese Freighter

The Vietnamese Marine Rescue Coordination Center (VMRCC) has reported that the 27,000 dwt geared freighter South Star caught fire about 35 nm east of Haiphong, off Cam Pha.

The vessel's crew of 18 attempted to fight the fire, with advice from VMRCC, but it spread through the accommodations block. Authorities helped to bring it under control using the water cannon from a SAR vessel. The fire was reported at 1437 hours local time and contained by 1920. All crewmembers escaped the blaze safely.

SAR forces remained at the scene to investigate and to monitor the vessel. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

The Mongolian-flagged, 1985-built South Star (ex name Florence) is operated by Vietnamese firm Ocean Shipping Company Limited, according to the government agency People's Committee of Quang Ninh.