Fire hits motor tanker in Batangas

At least two people were killed when a motor tanker caught fire while in front of Batangas Port on Sunday morning.

The vessel, later identified as MT Sea Horse, was at the Alpha Anchorage of the port, according to a report by Mao dela Cruz on Super Radyo dzBB.

The fire started at 9:07 a.m., Dr. Amor Calayan of the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

Three tugboats in the area identified as Motor Tug Great Lark, Motor Tug Sedar 7, and Motor Tug Sedar 8 promptly responded and helped battle the fire, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

Meanwhile, joint personnel of PCG diesel fast boat (DF 308) and Bureau of Fire Protection conducted fire combat operation onboard the MT Sea Horse, it added.

Fire out was declared at 11:08 a.m.

Investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.

According to a report on "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday, of the ship's seven crew members, two were killed, two are missing, and one is in critical condition in the hospital.

Meanwhile, a standby oil spill boom is being prepared for possible oil spill response after the Marine Environmental Protection Group Batangas coordinated with Petron Company, the PCG said. —KG/BM, GMA Integrated News