Passengers on board the T&T Express yesterday thanked God they were able to arrive at the Scarborough Port in Tobago safely, after one of the vehicles on the car deck caught afire.
The incident occurred just over an hour into the voyage from Trinidad en route to Tobago.
The sailing was initially scheduled for 10 am but was postponed to 1.30 pm. But the vessel didn’t actually begin sailing to Tobago untill about 2.08 pm.
However, as the vessel hit open water an announcement was made on the PA System for the driver of PBW 7460, a BMW SUV, to attend to their vehicle immediately. That call was made again several minutes later, but this time for the driver to check in with the information desk.
It was not until shortly before 4 pm that boat workers were seen feverishly attempting to extinguish the blaze with a fire extinguisher. It is believed the fire started in the vehicle’s engine.
Just after 5 pm, as the boat was docking in the Tobago Port and drivers along with their accompanying passengers were asked to go down to the car deck, passengers close to the vehicle saw the BMW’s bonnet was scorched. The strong stench of smoke and burnt plastic dominated the deck, causing the passengers who were milling around to stop and look on curiously. The damaged vehicle was also under the watchful eyes of a port police officer.
It is not certain what caused the fire and the incident is said to be under investigation.
A worker, who wished not to be identified, subsequently said his colleagues did their best to contain the blaze and extinguish it before it caused an explosion.
“The lives of hundreds of people were saved and scores of vehicles saved also. We had very rough seas but we do not know what caused the BMW to catch on fire,” the worker said.
A passenger, who identified himself as Bob from Chaguanas, described the incident as frightening, but thanked God that no major disaster took place.
Efforts to reach an official from the TT Port Authority for comment were unsuccessful yesterday.