Major fire on French naval vessel, the Clemenceau (From The Northern Echo)

Major fire on French naval vessel, the Clemenceau

8:40am Saturday 6th February 2010 in

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AN investigation is under way after a major fire on one of the controversial “ghost ships”.

Plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the former French naval vessel, the Clemenceau, which is being dismantled by Able UK, in Seal Sands, near Hartlepool.

More than 50 firefighters spent nearly two hours bringing the fire under control, which started at about 9.20am yesterday.

Environmental campaigners had battled to prevent the ship from being dismantled in the region because of fears of asbestos and other toxins on board.

The vessel had been denied entry into a number of countries for safety reasons, but the UK’s Health and Safety Executive granted Able an exemption to the asbestos regulations permit.

It is one of a number of socalled ghost ships, being dismantled near Hartlepool.

The fire is believed to have been contained in one of the compartments below the deck of the disused aircraft carrier, which is now known as Q790.

More than 300 workers had to be evacuated from the site, although the vessel is believed to no longer contain hazardous materials.

Early reports suggested two workers were missing, but they were later accounted for.

The A187 was also closed in both directions for a short time outside Greythorp dock.

Burning cables were found at the heart of the fire, however, the exact cause is not yet known.

Neil Etherington, group development director for Able UK, said: “An investigation has been launched following the fire in a couple of the compartments.

“We evacuated the site as a precaution. We had a limited workforce on the ship at the time and no one was injured.

“It is always unfortunate when an incident of this kind occurs, but we are pleased that our well-rehearsed emergency procedures worked well and that the fire was brought under control with no risk to the public and with no injuries to any personnel.”

Phil Lancaster, operations director for Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: “We have no idea what caused the fire at the moment, but we will be carrying out a full inquiry.

“We don’t really know what the damage is because the ship is being dismantled.”

A five-year saga, which ended in 2008, saw Able UK also given permission for three US ghost ships to be dismantled at the recycling facility.

Environmental campaigners have repeatedly claimed the work is unsafe.

Jean Kennedy, of Friends of Hartlepool, said the ships should never have been brought to the town. “We have been fighting this for six years and we will never stop. We have had enough of filth.”

Councillor Geoff Lilley, of Hartlepool, said: “I am pleased no one was hurt. Iwonder what would have happened if it had been lower on the ship, it could have been more serious.”