Hull Blaze from Cargo Ship Engulfs City in Smoke, Disrupts Traffic and Commerce

A recent publication by the Hull Daily Mail highlights a notable incident involving a cargo ship that caught fire while docked at Albert Dock in Hull. The blaze erupted on Friday morning, sending thick smoke billowing across the city. Emergency responders were alerted around 10 a.m. after residents reported an intense burning odor and heavy smoke.The Humberside Fire and Rescue Service dispatched four fire engines along with an aerial ladder platform to combat the flames aboard the Altay,a dry bulk carrier registered in the Marshall Islands. Ambulance teams and members of the Hull Coastguard rescue Team also joined forces to manage the emergency situation.

According to officials, the fire ignited within the ship’s cargo hold where scrap metal was stored, but thankfully no injuries have been reported so far.

due to prevailing wind conditions, smoke rapidly spread into Hull’s city center, leading authorities to advise residents to remain indoors with windows and doors shut tight. Humberside Fire and Rescue issued warnings for those outside to exercise caution and steer clear of areas near the dock.

local businesses faced disruptions as well; Tina Riches from HWM Van Hire shared her experience of having to close shop after hearing alarms from nearby port facilities. She informed customers that access would be restricted due to potential evacuation orders from police.

The emergency response also affected legal proceedings in Hull; HM Courts and Tribunals Service announced that hearings at both Hull Combined Court and Hull Magistrates’ Court were either postponed or transitioned online due to safety concerns stemming from heavy smoke.

Road closures were implemented throughout various parts of town including Commercial Road, English Street, Jackson street, Humber Dock Street, Wellington Street, and also nearby locations like Kingston Retail Park and Odeon Cinema. drivers were cautioned against using these routes until further notice.

Residents took their experiences online; one individual mentioned checking their home for fires after mistaking external smoke for an issue inside their building while another noted they had closed all windows upon realizing that it was indeed outdoor smoke causing concern.

port operator Associated British Ports confirmed that this incident occurred within a leased area at Albert Dock while expressing support for firefighting efforts underway.

Shipping records indicate that Altay is an 8,814-deadweight-tonne vessel built in 2006 with dimensions of 120 meters by 17 meters.It sails under Marshall Islands’ flag and had recently arrived in Hull on June 23 after departing Ijmuiden in Netherlands.

in October 2024 during inspections conducted in Venice Italy regarding life-saving equipment maintenance among other operational checks led authorities there temporarily detaining Altay for two days before later inspections elsewhere showed no deficiencies found onboard.

Authorities are actively monitoring developments related to this incident as investigations into its cause continue.