Fire in metal recycling boat at West Bank Terminal

Seven appliances were mobilised to attend a fire in the forward hold of a metal recycling boat, including rescue tenders, a turntable ladder. Three appliances from Princes Street (a fire engine, rescue tender and turntable ladder), two from Ipswich East (a fire engine and aerial ladder platform), and fire engines from Holbrook and Woodbridge fire stations. A command support vehicle was also mobilised from Woodbridge. 

The 54,000-tonne vessel, named Mafaam, contained shredded metal. At the time of the call, onsite personnel were using a pre-planned fire plan to isolate the fire using cranes (material handlers). Control advised them not to attempt to extinguish the fire and await the arrival of fire crews. 

Upon arrival, firefighters worked with staff at the dock to fight the fire, with dock personnel continuing to use an on-site grab crane to remove the metal and place it onto the quayside, under supervision from the fire service. 

Firefighters used two hose reel jets, one from the dockside and one from open water, and checked the metal and forward hold for hot spots using a thermal imaging camera. 

Holbrook Coastal Rescue Team also travelled to the incident, once the Harbour Master had been informed. Associated British Ports and the Environment Agency also informed.

Police also attended. 

A stop was called at 6:37am. The scene will be reinspected later today by a crew from Princes Street station. 

Update (4/6/26 at 12:21pm)

Following reinspection by crews, who used a thermal imaging camera to check the ship for remaining hot spots, this incident was closed at 7:35pm on 3/6/26.

Correction (4/6/26 at 2:47pm)

Apologies but apparently, there was no actual fire - there was steam caused by a thermal reaction within the metal..

The cargo likely experienced self-heating due to oxidation of fragmented metal in a confined space, which was then amplified by moisture and mechanical disturbance, producing steam and vapour that resembled smoke but did not involve combustion.