Massive Fire Erupts on Cargo Ship at Hull’s Albert Dock
Earlier today, something truly dramatic unfolded at Hull’s Albert Dock—a large cargo ship, identified as the Altay , caught fire, sending thick black smoke billowing across the city skyline. This incident has not only triggered a massive emergency response but has also brought parts of the city to a standstill.
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It all began just after 10:20 a.m. when Humberside Fire and Rescue received an emergency call about a fire aboard the Altay , a bulk carrier docked at Hull since June 23rd. The fire started deep in the vessel's cargo hold, which was loaded with an estimated 3,500 tonnes of scrap metal. Fortunately, all crew members on board were safely accounted for, but the fire itself proved to be anything but easy to handle.
Five fire engines, an aerial platform, marine-trained fire crews, and even the Hull Coastguard Rescue Team were dispatched to the scene. The incident commander described the fire as “deep-seated,” with limited access to the cargo hold. Firefighters have been using a two-pronged strategy—removing the scrap metal from the hold and extinguishing it on the dockside, while continuously spraying water into the vessel to contain the flames.
Meanwhile, the thick plume of smoke created quite a visual and sensory disturbance. Eyewitnesses described the smell as overpowering, with some even comparing it to burning rubber. One local resident said she had to shut every window in her house, yet the odor still seeped in. Another reported confusion at work, initially thinking there was an electrical fire in the building, before realizing the source was the dock.
Roads around the dock—including English Street, Wellington Street, Humber Dock, and parts of Kingston Retail Park—have been closed, causing major traffic disruptions. Public services like Hull’s courts and museums, as well as businesses like HVM Van Hire, have had to shut their doors temporarily. Even the Big Malarkey Festival, a children’s event in East Park, was evacuated as a precaution.
Shoppers, festival-goers, business owners, and even rugby fans heading to tonight’s match were all affected. Public transport had to be diverted, and authorities urged residents to stay indoors and keep windows closed due to health risks from the drifting smoke.
As of now, the firefighting effort is expected to last well into the night. Once the flames are extinguished, a full investigation will be launched to determine the cause of the fire. Until then, Hull remains on alert, watching closely as the Altay smolders in its dock—an unusual and unsettling sight for a city that knows its maritime history all too well.
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