Bender Shipyard Fire

Alabama Mobile The ship fire at Bender Shipyard is finally out nearly 24 hours after it started. Click here for aerial photos and reports from the scene. Updated at 1:11 p.m.

by WKRG Staff

Published: Wed, May 14, 2008 - 1:56 pm CST

Click here for aerial photos of the ship fire.

Thursday, 1:11 p.m.
- Steve Huffman, with the Mobile Fire Department, tells News 5 the fire is out.
- The fire was extinguished just after 12 Noon.
- Cleanup is now underway.
- The U.S. Coast Guard will investigate the cause of the fire because the boat was in the water when the fire started.

Thursday, 11:33 a.m.
- Mobile Fire Department says the fire started in the engine room of the Towing Supply Boat.
- Fire broke through again early this morning.
- 35 firefighters and additional support will remain on scene until the fire is out, which is not expected to happen before late this afternoon.
- Firefighters have used 300 gallons of the 1,000 gallons of foam that was brought in yesterday afternoon from Shell Oil Company in North Mobile County.
- 52-year-old Tommy Bishop, who was hit in the head by debris after an explosion, has been with the department for nearly 30 years. He was treated and released.
- 32-year-old Tommy Davis remains at USA Medical Center with 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his face.

Thursday, 6:29 a.m.
- Firefighters still on the scene trying to put fire out.
- One firefighter still in hospital. Officials say they expect him to be there for a few days.

Wednesday, 10:15 p.m.
- One of the firefighters injured earlier this afternoon will be admitted for treatment at USA Medical Center.
- 2nd year veteran Tommy Davis received 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his face and will be admitted.
- Career firefighter Tommy Bishop received injuries to his face from falling debris. He has been released from the hospital.
- Career firefighter Marty Emerson, who suffered a medical condition while on scene, has been released also.
- Firefighters will continue to fight the fire on the ship throughout the night.

Wednesday, 8:05 p.m.
- The Mobile Fire Department has brought in about 1,000 gallons of foam to fight the fire.
- Some of the initial firefighters have been sent home. The department is rotating fresh bodies.
- Because of the explosion around 5:40 p.m., firefighters are keeping their distance, fighting the fire from the outside of the ship.
- At some point, the department plans on sending firefighters back inside, but that will not happen for awhile.
- Firefighters are worried the fire, which has burning since 1:30 p.m., has compromised the integrity of the ship.
- Both of the firefighters who were injured in the explosion are expected to be ok.

Wednesday, 6:40 p.m.
-Firefighters have begun applying foam to the ship, trying to put the fire out.

Wednesday, 6:10 p.m.
- Two Mobile firefighters injured by an explosion while fighting the ship fire. One was hit by debris. The other suffered second degree burns to his face.
- A third firefighter had a medical problem.
- All three firefighters were taken to USA Medical Center.

Wednesday, 5:24 p.m.
Statement from Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co., Inc.

"At about 1:30 p.m. today Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co., Inc. reported a fire on new construction hull number 7876, presently berthed on the Bender waterfront. All personnel were properly evacuated and there were no personal injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation."

Wednesday, 5:15 p.m.
- Fire started at 1:30 p.m.
- 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel burning
- Mobile Fire Department has run out of foam. They're having to bring in more from Mississippi.
- Capt. Debbie Bryars says they're having a tough time getting to the fire because it's located deep inside the ship. Bryars also says it's very hot inside the ship and firefighters have zero visibility.
- Click play to watch Steve Alexander's live report from the scene.
- We'll have the latest tonight on News 5 at 6:00

Wednesday, 3:06 p.m.
- News 5's Steve Alexander is able to see heavy, gray smoke coming from a vessel at Bender Shipyard.

- Steve is speaking with the Mobile Fire Department right now. We'll have an update soon.

Wednesday, 2:56 p.m.
Mobile Fire Department says a 200 foot ship is on fire at Bender Shipyard.

The attached photo is from a witness. News 5 has a crew on the scene and will have more information soon.

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monkey1966 Says:

Thu, May 15, 2008 at 3:08 am

My father worked at Bender for over 30 years. When he supervised his crew and a fire broke out, he and his crew fought the fire. These men knew the ship.They had built or repaired it. Unfortunately, as trained as our brave firemen are, a ship is different than a house or a building. I pray for their safe recovery!

I agree with the previous comments, OSHA should require that Bender and other ship yards have foam available on each dock. However, Bender is too cheap to do anything as responsible as that!

mustuknow Says:

Wed, May 14, 2008 at 11:38 pm

As a firefighter of 17 years this is one of those incidents that you train for but there is nothing to prepare you for the actual event. The men and woman of the Mobile Fire Department should be commended for their work and dedication.

As far as the illegal immigrants, I can assure you the population with thin out once OSHA comes in and other federal agencies get involved. It is a blessing that no one was killed in this explosin.

My prayers and thoughts go out to the firefighters injured in this horrible fire.

RATTL3R Says:

Wed, May 14, 2008 at 9:20 pm

It is a miracle the place hasn’t burnt to the ground .Illegal immigrants running everywhere,incapable of the english language .
Pathetic management,I hope their customers realize just what a screwed up yard this is. I’d be scared to ride on a boat built here,even if it didn’t burn to the ground/water.
Scrap metal and other material laying everywhere.
It’s the black hole of ship building.
Just goes to show money in the right pockets gets you far , very far.
Apparently OSHA has never heard of Bender Shipbuilding.

justme Says:

Wed, May 14, 2008 at 8:49 pm

Why is the shipyard not required to maintain proper fire supression materials and equipment at locations on their property. Why do their cranes not support a means to spray into the holes, etc to fight fires. why is it left to the fire dept. soley.