By John Rey Saavedra/Philippine News Agency
CEBU CITY — A cargo vessel carrying copra caught fire on Monday night while anchored at the seawaters off Poblacion, Naga City, Cebu, a Philippine Coast Guard-Central Visayas report said Tuesday.
Lt. Junior Grade Michael Encina, spokesperson of PCG-Central Visayas, said all the Filipino crew of MV Andrea Princess 2 was safe but the Coast Guard medical team rendered first aid for minor injuries.
Encina said in a statement sent to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that their headquarters received a call about a vessel that caught fire in Naga City at 8 p.m. Monday.
The Coast Guard station in Naga City dispatched its personnel for assistance, while the PCG Central Visayas deployed BRP Capones and BRP Suluan, with its medical team, marine protection environmental protection group, and divers’ group on board, the statement said.
Coast Guard vessel BRP Capones was the first to arrive in the area at past 9 p.m. and dispatched its personnel to combat the fire. The BRP Suluan from Tagbilaran, Bohol, arrived an hour later and joined in the firefight.
Capt. Dario Castañares of MV Andrea Princess 2, revealed the fire started at the vessel’s front portion where piles of wood and paint were stored as crewmen did some welding works on the hydraulic hatch.
“The vessel’s crew fought the fire using its available portable fire pump,” Encina said.
The fire was declared under control at around 10:30 p.m.
Commander Alvin Dagalea, PCG-Cebu Station commander, declared fire out at 11:59 p.m.
The PCG marine environmental protection team found no evidence of oil spill in the area.
MV Andrea Princess 2 is owned by the Unified Shipping Lines in Cebu City. It has a gross tonnage of 249.5.
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