Napier’s ship hold is finally opened as the fire investigation continues

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has revealed that the hold of a ship that was the scene of an explosive fire in Napier Harbor has yet to be reopened more than five days after the fire.

The fire, aboard the Singapore-registered cargo ship, the Kota Bahagia, broke out shortly after 10:30 a.m. last Friday, prompting a major call from emergency services, including at least 13 fire fighting devices and associated Fire Brigade units. and New Zealand emergencies from as far away as Palmerston North.

FIRENZ said in a statement that firefighters will open the warehouse Thursday morning and that it has been closed since the event “to cool down.”

A drone will be used to assist fire crews, and the ship will move from its berth No. 4 Wharf for the first time after the emergency, so that firefighters can complete the operation in a different area of ​​the port, with a mandatory exclusion. for 500 m around the ship, within the port boundary.

The investigation into the cause and origin of the fire continues and is likely to take “some time” to complete, according to the statement.

FIRENZ is working with Napier Port Co, Maritime New Zealand, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) and the shipping company.

A TAIC spokesman said it could not release probative details of its investigation, which could take anywhere from 18 months to two years and is focused on establishing whether laws or other improvements are needed to avoid a repeat, rather than apportioning blame.

The crew of the 161-meter vessel was evacuated at the time and kept in Covid-19 isolation, but they were able to return to the vessel later on the day of the fire, of which no injuries were reported.

The ship docked last Thursday and was due to sail on Sunday.