Watch: Cargo Fire On Freighter In Canary Islands Contained After 2 Days Of Firefighting

A cargo fire aboard the freighter Langeland at Gran Canaria’s Arinaga port was brought under control on December 10, 2024, evening after two days of intense firefighting.

Emergency crews used foam to cover the burning scrap metal cargo and prevent the risk of re-ignition.

The fire started on December 9, around 4:30 p.m. local time, while the ship was loading scrap metal. Flames erupted in the cargo hold, and the crew attempted to close the hatches and activate the ship’s firefighting system.

However, the electrical system controlling the hatches was damaged in the fire, leaving the hold open and allowing the blaze to spread.

Most of the crew evacuated the vessel as the fire intensified. Emergency responders arrived to assist the remaining crew in battling the flames. The port temporarily suspended operations as a precaution, and a nearby vessel was moved to a different berth to ensure safety.

Gran Canaria’s firefighters deployed a ladder truck to spray water on the ship from the dock. However, they paused efforts late Monday night to avoid compromising the vessel’s stability by adding too much water.

By Tuesday morning, the fire had died down but reignited, producing thick black smoke that drifted downwind, away from the port.

Video Credits: InformativosTvc/YouTube

Fire crews resumed operations on Tuesday, this time using a combination of water and foam, with additional support from a tugboat equipped with fire monitors. By 6 p.m. local time, the fire was under control, though officials continued monitoring the situation to ensure it would not reignite.

Initial investigations suggest the fire may have been caused by the spontaneous ignition of the scrap metal cargo. Such incidents are not uncommon, as bulk scrap metal can sometimes contain flammable contaminants like damaged lithium-ion batteries, which are capable of igniting during handling or storage.

Ignacio Gallego Carro, chief of the Las Palmas Maritime Authority, told local media that the fire did not pose a significant risk to the public.

The Langeland is a 5,250 dwt freighter flagged in Portugal and operated by Germany-based Lubeca Marine. The vessel, which entered service in May 2024, has undergone two inspections since delivery.

During an inspection in Sweden in October, deficiencies related to the main engine and gyro compass were identified.

This fire is the second recent incident involving scrap metal at the Arinaga industrial complex. Last month, a major fire broke out at a nearby scrap metal storage yard, raising concerns about the safety protocols for handling such materials at the port.

The investigation into the cause of the Langeland fire is underway.

Reference: Safety4Sea

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