On Thursday, February 6, 2025, at approximately 8:40 a.m., firefighters from Wilmington’s B Platoon responded to a vehicle fire at the Port of Wilmington. The incident involved a large container lift truck that was found with heavy fire showing from its engine and operator’s compartment areas.
Engine Company 2 was the first unit to arrive on the scene, assessing the situation and immediately requesting additional support from another engine company to assist with fire suppression efforts. Firefighters quickly attacked the blaze and successfully knocked down the flames, bringing the fire under control within 15 minutes of their arrival.
Complicating the incident was a ruptured fuel line on the container lift truck, which led to a diesel fuel spill. As a result, the Delaware Division of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Belvedere Fire Company’s Haz-Mat unit were called in to assist with mitigating the fuel spill and preventing further environmental impact from runoff water.
Wilmington Fire Department personnel remained on the scene for over 90 minutes, assisting with spill control and coordinating efforts with responding agencies. Port management will engage a private clean-up contractor to remove the damaged vehicle and properly dispose of the spilled fuel.
No injuries were reported during the incident according to Wilmington Fire Department Battalion Chief Robert Pryor.
