08/10/2026
This morning, Wilmington Firefighters were dispatched to the Port of Wilmington, Berth 5 for a reported fire on a ship. First arriving companies reported smoke showing from the container ship Dole Columbia. Responders were met by the ship’s Captain who reported a fire in a generator in the engine room. A 2nd alarm was struck, bringing in all on-duty WFD companies, as well as mutual aid from surrounding departments to the scene and to cover city fire stations. Incident Command confirmed with the ship’s captain that the engine room had been sealed and the ship’s on board extinguishment system had been activated. The captain also confirmed that all crew had been accounted for and was safe.
Firefighters then deployed hose lines to the areas around the engine room to monitor conditions and confirm that the extinguishment system was holding the fire. Once it was confirmed that the extinguishment system was functioning as intended and holing the fire, the incident was placed under control and units began to be released. The fire department along with the Coast Guard and the ship’s crew will continue to monitor the engine room temperatures and conditions throughout the day. One WFD firefighter was transported for evaluation.
Units responding: 1st Alarm: Engines 2,1,3; Squad 4; Ladders 2,1; Battalion Chiefs 2,1,5. Deputy Chief 2, F-1 (Chief of Department ). Ambulance 2, New Castle County Paramedics
2nd Alarm: Engines 6,5, 20 (Holloway Terrace), 22(Minquadale); Ladder 17 (Five Points); Rescue 23 (Newport). Marine units: 18 (New Castle), 15 (Delaware City), and 29 (Port Penn).
Photos courtesy Chief John Looney and Minquadale Firefighter Geoff Daniels
