R.M.S. Loch Avon

Boiler Fire

December 6, 1963

The fire in the boiler (starboard) became out of control at approximately 1:00 P.M. The Fire Department was called at 1.30 P.M. The Fire was controlled at approximately 4:00 P.M. The cause of the fire was probably from excessive soot and other combustion deposits in and around the boiler tubes, from improper blowdown and from lack of water.

The ship was of English registry and operated by the Royal Mail Lines. It was an 8540 ton cargo ship on a regular run to this port. The cargo was general and included 3740 bags of Urea, 40% Ammonium Nitrate in #5 hold, some Ammonium Nitrate fertilizer in hold #1 and some solvent in hold #2. The cargo was not involved and never was endangered although it was a factor to be considered in the overall evaluation and size-up of the situation.

When the Los Angeles Fire Department arrived there had been some foamite used by the ships crew in the engine room and some water had been put into the firebox also by the ships crew. The first LAFD lines were laid to the boiler room. The fire was centered around the boiler tubes at approximately the main decf level. The fire was entirely contained within the starboard boiler enclosure and firebox. LAFD lines were also laid to all levels in the machinery spaces. A 2 1/2" protective line was laid to the boat deck to cool the duct system within the stack enclosure. These lines cooled the outside of the duct system and the outside of the boiler but had no effect on the fire within the enclosed boiler. Normally the combustibles would burn out but in this case the fire continued to rage and to a point the insulating coat of asbestos and asbestos mortar began to disintegrate.

Consideration was given to cutting into the boiler box using a cutting torch. Fortunately this was not done. If this had been done, fire would probably have exploded out of the box endangering personnel and extending the fire to the uninvolved machinery space of the ship.

It appeared at the time that the only feasible way to get water to the fire area was down the duct tube within the stack area. The 85' aerial ladder from Truck 38 was raised to the top of the stack and an 1 1/2" line with a spray tip was very carefully lowered down the proper duct tube. This proved effective and got cooling water to the fire area. After precooling for about 30 minutes with the 1 1/2" a 2 1/2" line was lowered down the tube and used to conclude the cooling and extinguishment of the fire. Care must be used to put the line down the proper tube, because within the stack there will be exhaust tubes from generator engines, etc. as well as the tubes from the main engines. Also some ships such as some of the ships built for the Moore-McCormick lines have dummy stacks and the engine gases are exhausted from the top of the king posts. The Chief Engineer of the ship can direct you to the proper exhaust tube.

In some instances the only way to get water to the fire will be through the exhaust tubes. Most if not all American made boilers will have an access door into the top of the boiler just below entry into the riser for the stack. It may be possible to undog this door and apply a fog stream directly to the fire. It must be remembered that you are dealing with metal that is heated to above 3000 degrees F. and a sudden blob of water could cause an explosion. Also you may build up pressures within the boiler that will cause a boiler explosion. If water is put in through this door be sure that the steam being generated is escaping. It may be the only way to get water in any case is down through the stack. It will be better to call for a 100' aerial, for better reach. In most cases the 85' will be too short. Water should be applied very carefully. When the water is started, all personnel should be removed from the fire room, in case there is an explosion.