Nord-Houston

Scrap in a cargo hold of the 'Nord Houston', which had berthed at the Newport Docks in South Wales, en rote from Las Palmas, caught fire in the early hours of April 26, 2026. Residents were first alerted around 05:15 a.m. BST by a distress call from the ship's foghorn. The vessel was carrying approximately 1,000 tonnes of scrap metal at the time of the blaze. A large scale fire fighting operation was launched by crews from the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, involving five pumping appliances, two hydraulic aerial platforms, and multiple specialist units. Firefighters conducted external firefighting operations using main jets and an aerial ladder, supported by fire service boats to ensure water safety. A drone unit was deployed to improve situational awareness, helping crews track fire development and locate hotspots. The fire could be contained, with tactics under constant review to bring the situation under control safely and efficiently. There eas no immediate risk to life or nearby properties. The emergency services were working alongside partners, including Associated British Ports, harbour authorities, Natural Resources Wales, police, and local authorities to manage safety and assess any environmental impact. The fire crews were expected to remain on scene as plans were made to unload the affected cargo. The public was advised to avoid the dock area while operations continued. The ship remained stationary as of April 28. Firefighters remained at the scene through the day and stayed into April 28 to make sure the fire does not reignite. Report with photo: https://www.marineinsight.com/fire-erupts-on-ship-loaded-with-1000-tonnes-of-scrap-metal-at-newport-docks/?fbclid=Iwb21leARdU1NjbGNrBF1TA2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHo0vAGjVPVj0FI1YB4fjJ5Giz-AcDZ_32tomwFihKg-qbxOgDVPnubAbeT6C_aem_7UgcJDwkJ-9dIZyJ7XLKnQ