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A fire broke out inside the cargo hold of a 656-foot break-bulk carrier at the Port of Vancouver on the night of 18 February 2026, prompting a coordinated regional maritime emergency response.<\/p>\n
The Vancouver Fire Department dispatched crews shortly after 9 p.m. following reports of smoke and flames coming from shredded metal stored in the vessel\u2019s hold.<\/p>\n
The blaze was brought under control in under four hours. No injuries were reported, and all crew members were accounted for.<\/p>\n
According to the Vancouver Fire Department, a crew member reported visible smoke and flames from a pile of shredded metal inside an open midship cargo hold. Unloading operations were underway at the time of the incident.<\/p>\n
When firefighters arrived, smoke was observed rising from the affected hold.<\/p>\n
The vessel\u2019s crew had already activated onboard fire suppression systems and deployed two hose lines to cool adjacent cargo and prevent the fire from spreading.<\/p>\n
Fire crews worked alongside the ship\u2019s personnel to access the hold, identify the source of the fire and bring the situation under control.<\/p>\n
The Marine Fire Safety Association activated specialised Shipboard Firefighting Technicians from across the Columbia River region.<\/p>\n
The association coordinates 14 participating fire departments covering the stretch from Astoria to Vancouver.<\/p>\n
Additional support came from Clark Cowlitz Fire & Rescue, Clark County Fire District 6, and Portland Fire & Rescue. Other regional resources remained on standby in their service areas.<\/p>\n
In total, 17 fire units responded to the incident.<\/p>\n
The vessel was carrying shredded metal, a cargo type known in the maritime industry to require careful handling.<\/p>\n
Scrap materials can present fire risks if contaminated with flammable substances or incompatible materials.<\/p>\n
Shipboard fires are particularly hazardous due to enclosed cargo holds that can trap heat and smoke, complicating firefighting efforts. Coordinated response between onboard crews and shore-based teams is critical in limiting damage.<\/p>\n
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire.<\/p>\n
The Port of Vancouver is a key hub along the Columbia River, handling significant volumes of bulk and break-bulk cargo.<\/p>\n