Fire aboard former state ferry Malaspina quickly extinguished in Ketchikan

The erstwhile authorities ferry Malaspina, moored successful Ketchikan’s Ward Cove. (File/KRBD)

A occurrence collapsed retired connected nan decommissioned authorities ferry Malaspina successful Ketchikan’s Ward Cove connected Tuesday night, but was extinguished without injuries.

North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jerry Kiffer said nan occurrence aboard nan vessel, which is being utilized arsenic a bunkhouse for workers successful Ward Cove, was reported astatine astir 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. When firefighters arrived, location were nary visible flames aliases smoke.

“We made interaction pinch nan proprietor of nan vessel,” Kiffer said. “He indicated location was a occurrence connected Deck 1 that had a retention area that had toiletries and cleaning supplies. It was located successful an area that was reasonably distant from nan cabins, and was confined conscionable to that peculiar room.”

Kiffer says nan occurrence had been quickly contained by those aboard nan Malaspina. When nan occurrence was discovered by crew, they attempted to put it retired pinch hand-held occurrence extinguishers but were unsuccessful. They past utilized a hose from 1 of nan Malaspina’s occurrence stations to tamp down nan fire.

“Our unit came successful and vanished extinguishment, completed overhaul and ventilated nan ship,” he said.

Kiffer said location was fume successful nan aft portion of nan ship. Although cipher was hurt, respective group onboard were evaluated conscionable to beryllium safe.

Kiffer commended those aboard for their speedy consequence erstwhile occurrence alarms sounded.

“Because nan unit was onboard, because nan unit acted quickly, they were capable to sound that occurrence down to a constituent wherever it was safe for our unit to make introduction onto nan ship,” he said. “So kudos to them. They did a beautiful decent job.”

Kiffer says occurrence section unit wrapped up a small aft 9:00 p.m. Tuesday night. The origin of nan occurrence is nether investigation.