A fire at the structure of the newly constructed cruise dock in Whittier, Alaska, inflicted significant damage on the Klondike Express tourist ship. The fire was reported to the United States Coast Guard at 11 AM on Monday.
Details of the Fire and Damage
Reports indicate that the fire quickly spread to the wooden planks of the dock, and initial efforts to extinguish it faced difficulties. Due to the lack of fire hydrants at the facility, firefighters had to transport water from a ten-minute distance to the scene. According to provided information, the large cruise ship Norwegian Jade was nearby but quickly left the area and thus was not affected by the fire.
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Impact on the Klondike Express
The Klondike Express tourist ship was identified as one of the victims of this fire. The operator of the ship confirmed that its aluminum hull suffered melting damage in a limited area on the left side. Additionally, signs of fire and smoke damage were observed in the upper sections of the ship. To prevent further damage, the Klondike Express was pulled away from the dock.
Operator Phillips Cruises announced that other ships in the company continue their tourism activities and none of them were affected by the fire. The company stated, "Our ship may be injured, but it remains strong. The fire occurred at the dock and not on the ship itself."
Fire Control and Reactions
Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of this incident. With the help of nearby fire departments and the tugboat Krystal Sea, the fire was brought under control by Tuesday morning. The Coast Guard and state fire department also began their investigations into the causes of the incident.
Road access to Whittier was temporarily closed for three hours through the one-way city tunnel to allow firefighters and other rescuers to quickly reach the scene. Whittier city manager Jackie Wilder stated, "This response went beyond Whittier. Firefighters came through the tunnel, marine teams attacked the fire from the water, and resources were well coordinated. The city of Whittier is grateful to all those who came to help."
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