ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Aug. 15 (PNA) – Fire fighters continue to work until late Saturday night to contain the fire that engulfed a passenger ship docked at the city port here.
Authorities declared that fire is under control around 1 p.m., but fire fighters remain since smoke continues to emanate from M/V Wonderful Stars’ engine room.
Two crew members have been confined at the Ormoc Sugar Planters (OSPA) Association Farmers Medical Center after suffering minor injuries.
Philippine Coast Guard Ormoc officials said fire fighters would not leave the port until the smoke is gone.
The ship owned by Roble Shipping, carrying 554 passengers, just arrived Ormoc port from Cebu City around 4 a.m. on Saturday when passengers noticed a smoke that suddenly turned thick.
Capt. Rodolfo Saavedra, together with three crews stayed at the ship’s roof top and assisted the responding firemen.
Some crew members were overheard saying that the fire originated from the apprentice crew room, but remained unconfirmed until the investigation is over.
The ship carried 15 various types of four and ten-wheeled vehicles including two wing vans, 34,000 poultry livestock and various cargoes that were left behind by passenger who immediately disembarked the ship.
The Ormoc firemen and local rescue unit utilized all machineries to contain the fire. Firemen from the city of Baybay and Kananga and Albuera towns came to help.
Passenger Joji Juntilla complained there was no announcement from the ship management for passenger distress. There was also no smoke alarm. He said he went out when he noticed a smoke coming from the lower portion of the ship.
Some passengers who occupied tourist accommodation said they rushed disembarking the boat and failed to carry their belongings after detecting the spreading smoke.
The ship left Cebu port bound for Ormoc around 10:30 p.m. on Friday. M/V Wonderful Stars has 1,297.71 gross tonnage and 855 passenger capacity. (PNA)