Fire being investigated - hazardous cargo not affected

Late in the night of Feb 13 metro firefighters were still on board the "APL Austria". Although the blaze had been brought under control, the fire-fighting team stayed on the ship overnight. Some containers were being off-loaded while others were being moved out of the danger zone on the "APL Austria". Two municipal rescue pumps, one Transnet rescue pump vehicle, a foam tanker, hazardous material unit, a breathing apparatus trailer and a mobile operations unit had been deployed to help combat the fire. Hazardous material such as paint, refrigeration gas and various other types of chemical cargo was on the ship when the fire broke out about 30 nautical miles southwest of Cape St Francis, while it was sailing towards Cape Town. Initially it was thought that the fire was in the number three cargo hold, but it was later confirmed that it was actually in number four. A Joint Operations Centre (JOC) consisting of the Nelson Mandela Bay Emergency Medical Services, the fire department, Transnet and Samsa was established at the Port of Ngqura. Air force helicopters were also placed on standby. Several containers containing hazardous cargo were on deck but had not been affected by the fire. The cause of the fire was now being investigated.