(HOUSTON) — Two crewmembers died Monday after an early morning fire aboard a containership in the Port of Houston, Houston Public Media reported.
The Port Houston Fire Department responded to the fire on M/V Stride, docked at the Barbours Cut Container Terminal, at about 3:30 a.m. Baytown and LaPorte fire departments also responded to the scene, according to the Port Houston.
Officials said the ship was being fueled by a barge that pulled up alongside the vessel when the fire ignited. Two ship crewmembers died and another suffered burns and was transported to a hospital via a medical transport helicopter.
“There were no other reports of injuries,” according to the Port of Houston. “The fire is extinguished, and there is no threat to the surrounding community.”
The Port Houston Fire Department said it would monitor the vessel for at least 24 hours, according to the port. The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office and medical examiners were on the scene conducting investigations Monday morning.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
The 597-foot Stride, owned by Danaos Shipping of Greece and sailing under a Panama flag, reportedly arrived in Houston on Jan. 7 from Guatemala and Honduras.
