A massive fire that burned on board an almost 600-foot long auto hauler cargo ship at Blount Island for almost a week and a half is out, according to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
The news comes after the last of nine firefighters hospitalized when an explosion wracked the M/V Hoegh Xiamen returned home Tuesday and Wednesday to recuperate, fire officials said.
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"Our services are no longer needed and our guys will be pulling out," the fire department tweeted about 5 p.m. Friday, also thanking the Coast Guard and JaxPort. "It has been a tremendous team effort... thanks for everyone's effort in this daunting task."
The fire broke out about 4 p.m. June 4 after the roll-on/roll-off ship had loaded hundreds of used and salvage cars, according to Hoegh Autoliners, the ship's Norwegian-based owner. One firefighter was hospitalized due to heat exhaustion, then eight more were injured and burned when an explosion occurred inside the ship, fire officials said.
Since then, fire boats and engines have been spraying the hull to cool it and prevent a rupture that could release fuel oil and other contaminants into the St. Johns River, and even cause the ship to sink, officials said. Thermal imaging recorded some hot spots at close to 1,000 degrees last week, fire officials said.
The Jacksonville Association of Firefighters has a fundraising site at jaxfirefighters.dpmlocal.com/firefighter-family-support to help the injured firefighters in their recuperation at home.
Dan Scanlan: (904) 359-4549
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