What Crew Members Say About Qing-Hua-Shan

A significant fire broke out on the cargo vessel 'Qing Hua Shan' while it was docked at berth No. 109, Dock Gate 20S in Southampton, UK, on September 26, 2025, at approximately 6 p.m. Fortunately, all 22 crew members onboard were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. The fire was initially detected in cargo hold No. 3 and quickly spread to hold No. 4 before being contained. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) responded promptly to the situation. Over 40 firefighters, along with seven fire engines and one aerial ladder platform, worked diligently to control the blaze, utilizing 160 canisters of CO₂ for effective firefighting. To mitigate the risk of heat transfer, boundary cooling was applied to the vessel. Local authorities advised residents to steer clear of the docks during the situation. Firefighting efforts were anticipated to extend throughout the night, with hatches remaining closed until replenishment of firefighting supplies could occur. An additional inspection of the cargo holds was planned once the hatches were reopened. By 7 a.m. on September 27, the firefighting operation was scaled down to two fire engines and one aerial platform ladder, allowing for ongoing monitoring to avert further escalation. The fire crews remained on-site, ensuring a fire service presence for the next 24 hours. The 'Qing Hua Shan' had arrived in port on September 25 from Montoir-de-Bretagne and remained stationary in the port as of October 1.