Gujarat: Fire Breaks Out On HRM & Sons Ship at Porbandar Jetty, Towed To Middle Of Sea

Porbandar: A massive fire engulfed a cargo ship docked at the All Weather Port of Porbandar on Monday morning, sparking panic in the port area. The vessel, PDI 1383 ‘Haridasran’ from Jamnagar, was loaded with 950 tonnes of rice and 78 tonnes of sugar bound for Somalia when flames suddenly erupted.

Eyewitnesses described how the fire spread within minutes due to the highly flammable cargo. Towering flames and thick smoke could be seen from a distance as port authorities rushed to launch an emergency response.

“As soon as the fire was reported, the ship was towed away from the port to prevent further damage and possible danger to nearby vessels. Firefighting teams immediately began operations at sea,” said a senior port official.

Fortunately, all 14 crew members were rescued safely before the fire intensified. No casualties were reported. However, officials confirmed that the vessel has suffered heavy damage.

A crew member, visibly shaken after the rescue, told reporters, “We were preparing for departure when suddenly smoke started filling the lower deck. Within moments, flames spread everywhere. Our only thought was survival. We are thankful for the swift action of the rescue teams.”

Another officer involved in the rescue operation said, “The presence of rice and sugar made the fire extremely difficult to control. Our priority was to save lives first, and thankfully, every crew member was brought to safety.”

Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire. An investigation is underway to determine whether it was triggered by an electrical fault, cargo-related combustion, or any other lapse.

While the quick action of port officials and fire teams prevented a major maritime disaster, the incident has raised concerns over safety measures and handling of flammable cargo at Gujarat’s busy ports.