Fire rages through Seli 1

By Khanyisa Tabata
04 June 2010

The Seli 1, a ship that ran aground off Bloubergstrand in September last year, will be left to burn out after it caught alight yesterday.

The infrastructure of the ship made it unsafe for anyone to board and a tugboat was yesterday sent to spray the burning decks.

The 24-man salvaging crew had to be evacuated when the gas cylinders they were using on board to power equipment caught fire. The National Sea Rescue Institute's, Craig Lambinon says no-one was injured.

ER24 spokesperson Tristan Wadeley says while paramedics watched the rescue taking place, large explosions could be heard coming from the ship.

The ER24-Discovery Medicopter flew overhead and provided an aerial view of the scene in case any patients entered the water.

“Medics from ER24, Metro EMS and Fire Department were dispatched to the harbour to wait for the incoming rescue ship.

“The patients were assessed and four people were treated smoke inhalation, of which one was transported by ER24 ambulance to Cape Town Medi-Clinic in a stable condition, said Wadeley.