A fire broke out on a ship in a yard in Barangay San Jose, Navotas City, resulting in the deaths of two welders.

The fire started around 9:00 PM on Monday, January 27, and lasted for almost five hours.

Fire Superintendent Ronaldo Sanchez, the City Fire Marshal of the Navotas City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), stated that the initial investigation suggests the fire most likely originated from the welding activity itself.

“There’s a big possibility that the fire originated from the welding, but the question is how the fire spread so rapidly, which is why the victims were unable to escape,” the fire marshal said.

Sanchez added that the fire started in the ship’s storage room, located in the upper portion of the ship’s ballast, where the bodies of the welders were found.

The deceased individuals are both residents of Navotas City.

Navotas City Police Station Chief PCOL Mario Cortes said in a message that the casualties were brought to Navotas City Hospital, where they are still awaiting their families for proper disposition.

The ship was identified as the MV Amansinaya Passenger Ship, owned by Majestic Shipping Corporation.

The BFP is investigating whether the ship complies with the fire safety code.

At least three fire trucks from the Bureau of Fire Protection responded to the incident.