A fuel-laden cargo vessel caught fire off Zamboanga City, forcing three crew members to jump into the sea as flames engulfed the boat. (Image courtesy of Ely Dumaboc)
Zamboanga City — A cargo vessel carrying large quantities of gasoline and diesel was destroyed by fire Friday evening along the coast of R.T. Lim Boulevard, forcing its three crew members to leap into the sea as flames rapidly consumed the boat.
The vessel, M/L Alkazer, had been preparing for a voyage to Tawi-Tawi when the blaze erupted at around 5:30 p.m., according to investigators from the Bureau of Fire Protection.
Authorities said the boat was transporting 135 gallons of gasoline and two drums of diesel fuel when a suspected mechanical malfunction triggered an ignition in the engine compartment.
“According to a witness, the engine ignited during startup and burst into flames,” said Fire Officer 3 Rodel Araneta, the lead investigator on the case.
Investigators believe a fuel leak accelerated the fire, turning the vessel into what witnesses described as a floating inferno within minutes. Thick black smoke rose above the coastline as residents gathered along the boulevard to watch the burning boat drift offshore.
The three crew members aboard abandoned the vessel by jumping into the water to escape the intense heat and smoke. Officials later confirmed that all survived without injury.
Responders from the city fire station rushed to the scene but struggled to contain the flames because the vessel was initially too far from shore. Firefighters waited until the burning boat drifted closer before deploying AFFF, or aqueous film-forming foam, a specialized suppressant used in fuel fires.
By nightfall, the M/L Alkazer and its cargo had been declared a total loss. The vessel, owned by Akmad Hamja, was carrying no passengers, authorities said.
Investigators are continuing to examine whether the vessel complied with regulations governing the transport of flammable materials, including fuel storage and safety protocols. Officials are also working to determine the precise source of the suspected leak that intensified the blaze. (with reports from Ely Dumaboc)
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