Wilmington fire crews respond to overheated ship at State Port

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Fire Department responded to the N.C. State Ports for a reported ship on fire this afternoon.

A spokesman with the fire department said the ship was not on fire, but an earth moving piece of equipment being used in the hull of the ship had overheated just after 6:00 p.m. He said the product being moved around was soybeans and when the equipment overheated there was plenty of soybean dust on the equipment to smolder.

The ship’s fire brigade extinguished the smoldering and crews were there for back-up and to help ensure the fire was completely out. No product burned except what little was on the equipment.

No injuries were reported. The spokesman said crews are clear and the ship’s crew is back to work.