A fire broke out in the engine room of the Chiquita Voyager while the vessel was berthed at Wilmington’s fruit terminal in Delaware, prompting a large multi-agency emergency response and resulting in injuries to four crew members.
The incident occurred late morning on 26 November, when smoke was seen rising from the ship’s superstructure. Port workers notified emergency services, and fire crews from Wilmington Fire Department, New Castle County units and mutual-aid departments were dispatched to the scene.
In total, close to seventy responders, including fire, EMS and emergency-management teams, took part in the operation.
According to officials, the vessel’s onboard suppression systems activated quickly, helping contain the blaze inside the engine room.
Firefighters then entered the compartment in coordinated teams and worked for roughly three hours before bringing the situation under control. Additional crews remained on site throughout the afternoon to monitor hot spots and assist investigators.
Four members of the ship’s crew were transported to Christiana Hospital for treatment after sustaining injuries related to the incident. Their conditions have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Port authorities reported no structural impact to terminal facilities and confirmed that cargo operations in adjacent areas continued with precautionary restrictions. An investigation is now underway to determine the cause of the fire, with early indications suggesting a mechanical failure in machinery located within the engine room.
Moreover, the Chiquita Voyager, a 2,750 TEU vessel, is a regular caller at Wilmington, which serves as a major hub for refrigerated fruit imports into the United States.
