Cargo vessel catches fire off Misamis; 18 crewmen saved

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – At least 18 crewmembers were rescued after their cargo vessel caught fire off Lugat Point in Misamis Oriental last Thursday, Navy officials said.

Rear Admiral Armand Guzman, commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao, said the crewmen of M/V Foxbat were rescued by the BRP Jose Loor Sr. patrol gunboat 390 led by Lt. Senior Grade Arnold Simbajon which was conducting a search mission for flashflood victims in Iligan City. 

Guzman said the team of Simbajon immediately redirected its search mission to extend help to the cargo vessel in distress and rescue all its crewmembers.

Simbajon said the M/V Foxbat, owned by Loadmaster Lines Inc. based in Manila, was transporting bags of cement when it caught fire while anchored off Lugat Point, some seven nautical miles off Iligan City.

“The cargo vessel was already ablaze when we reached it,” Simbajon said.  He said his men also assisted the firefighters who put out the blaze after more than three hours.

Simbajon said the fire probers were investigating the cause of the blaze.