Tanker catches fire in Calaca; two injured

CALACA, Batangas — Two crew members were injured after a motor tanker carrying 22 people caught fire at a port in Calaca City, Batangas on Wednesday night.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Southern Tagalog said the MTKR Gindara, loaded with molasses, was docked at the Balayan Distillery Inc. Port in Barangay Talisay when the fire broke out.

The Coast Guard Sub-Station Lemery and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Calaca City immediately responded after receiving a report from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).

Local tugboats MTUG Sedar 8 and MTUG Polaris also assisted in the firefighting operation.

All 22 crew members were rescued, but two sustained injuries. They were brought to the Metro Lemery Medical Center and Metro Calaca Hospital for medical treatment.

Initial investigation showed that the fire started in the vessel’s engine room.

The PCG also deployed BRP Malapascua to assist in putting out the fire.

The PCG said there were no more visible flames, but thick smoke was still coming from the vessel’s bridge.