Crime & Safety
Ship Destroyed In Overnight Fire At Port Of Tacoma
Crews worked for hours to prevent the blaze from spreading to any nearby vessels.
TACOMA, WA — The Port of Tacoma was swept with smoke Wednesday night as firefighters clambered to contain a boat fire burning on the water.
Pictures from the scene. pic.twitter.com/htkLT1GT6j
— Tacoma Fire (@TacomaFire) February 18, 2021
Firefighters first reported the fire just before 11 p.m. saying a boat was burning in the 400 block of East Alexander.
Firefighters battling the blaze describe a complicated situation: not only did they have to keep the fire from spreading to other, nearby boats, but nearby ammonia tanks had to be continuously cooled to prevent further disaster.
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At one point, the boat fire was kicking up so much smoke, that firefighters advised nearby neighbors to shelter in place until the smoke had left.
Crews continue their defensive strategy using master streams from the three Fireboat’s on scene. There are no injuries to report or evacuation orders at this time. Any residents impacted by the smoke conditions should continue to shelter in place. pic.twitter.com/NzfNMQIRr6
— Tacoma Fire (@TacomaFire) February 18, 2021
Both the Tacoma Fireboat Destiny and West Pierce Fire & Rescue's Fireboat Endeavor were called in to help battle the blaze.
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Though the fire took hours of work to contain, firefighters managed to keep it from spreading. Unfortunately, as the Tacoma News Tribune reports, the boat's owners, Trident Seafoods, say the ship is a total loss.
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