A fire broke out aboard a hybrid vessel in Vågsfjorden, Norway, leading to the evacuation of six crew members.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, saw all six individuals transported to hospital following exposure to smoke.
The fire, which was reported to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Northern Norway at 09:30, is believed to have originated from the battery system onboard the vessel, according to Norwegian newspaper Nordlys.
“There were six people onboard, all of whom were evacuated to a nearby boat. At this time, we do not have an update on their medical condition,” said Håkon Kjøllmoen, rescue leader at JRCC.
The boat in question is a hybrid vessel, and the fire is reportedly linked to the battery.
“We are dealing with a battery fire,” Kjøllmoen added, confirming that the primary issue involved smoke development rather than open flames.
Emergency Response
A ferry, the Havila Castor, responded to the emergency and remained stationed in the fjord for a period before departing northwards. Firefighting personnel from Tromsø were dispatched by helicopter to assist in managing the situation.
By 11:00, reports indicated that no visible flames or smoke were detectable from the vessel’s exterior. Rescue leader Mari Lillestø confirmed that the crew activated the ship’s internal fire suppression system before evacuating. “The six individuals onboard have been transported ashore. All were exposed to smoke, and so far two have been transferred to hospital in Harstad for further examination,” Lillestø stated.
Hospitalisation and Safety Measures
At 11:50, updates confirmed that four additional crew members had been transported to hospital in Tromsø, with two remaining in Harstad. When asked about the nature of the smoke inhalation, Lillestø commented, “Battery fires can indeed produce toxic fumes.”
The vessel has since been towed away from a nearby fish farming facility to Valvåg. Specially trained firefighters from Tromsø, initially dispatched to the scene, have been stood down, with local fire services assuming control.
“The situation is now under control, and local personnel have taken over the response from shore,” Lillestø confirmed, adding that initial reports had indicated open flames at the site.
