Free Trial

A lithium-ion battery fire in a cargo ship's hold is out after several days of burning

This image provided by the U.S. Coast Guard shows a reported fire aboard the 410-foot cargo vessel Genius Star XI, approximately 200 miles southwest of Dutch Harbor, Alaska, Dec. 29, 2023. The fire in the large cargo ship's hold was out Saturday, Dec. 30, after days of burning, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. (Lt.Cmdr. Michael Salerno/U.S. Coast Guard via AP, File)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — After lithium-ion batteries burned in a large cargo ship's hold for a number of days, the U.S. Coast Guard said late Saturday that the fire was out and directed the ship to anchor near Dutch Harbor, Alaska.

The 19 crew members of the ship, Genius Star XI, were uninjured and technicians from the Salvage and Marine Firefighting team remain onboard to ensure the fire doesn't return, according to a Coast Guard press release.

“This protected anchorage ... will allow the vessel to remain stable, minimizing risk of any re-flash of the fire as we continue our response," Capt. Chris Culpepper said in the press release, which said an investigation into the fire's origins will begin once response efforts wrap up.

Genius Star XI was shipping lithium-ion batteries from Vietnam to San Diego. The crew alerted the Coast Guard early Thursday morning to the fire, after pumping carbon dioxide into hold No. 1 — where the blaze began — and sealing it, fearing an explosion.

The Coast Guard diverted the 410-foot (125-meter) cargo ship to Dutch Harbor, one of the nation’s busiest fishing ports located in Unalaska, an Aleutian Islands community about 800 miles (1,287 kilometers) southwest of Anchorage.

Arriving Friday, Genius Star XI was kept 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from shore to mitigate the risks of toxic gases produced by the fire to the community and environment while responders worked to extinguish the flames, Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Mike Salerno said in an email to The Associated Press.

There have been no oil leaks associated with the fire, according to the ship's owners, Wisdom Marine Group.

Where should you invest $1,000 right now?

Before you make your next trade, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis.

Our team has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and none of the big name stocks were on the list.

They believe these five stocks are the five best companies for investors to buy now...

See The Five Stocks Here

Unlock the Potential in Options Trading Cover

Options trading isn’t just for the Wall Street elite; it’s an accessible strategy for anyone armed with the proper knowledge. Think of options as a strategic toolkit, with each tool designed for a specific financial task. Keep reading to learn how options trading can help you use the market’s volatility to your advantage.

Get This Free Report
Like this article? Share it with a colleague.

Featured Articles and Offers

Recent Videos

Why Amazon’s AI Power and Holiday Boost Make This Stock a 2025 Winner
Small Caps, Financials & Bitcoin Lead the Rising Bull Market: Chris Rowe’s Top Picks
MicroStrategy Stock: Riding Bitcoin’s Wave to New Highs

Stock Lists

All Stock Lists

Investing Tools

Calendars and Tools

Search Headlines