When tragedy strikes aboard a vessel, lives can be lost in mere minutes. One of the most dangerous places on a ship is the engine room—a confined, high-heat, high-risk environment filled with flammable materials and heavy machinery. Unfortunately, maritime incidents involving engine room fires are far too common, and recent investigations have pointed to human error as the leading cause in many cases.
A recent fatal engine room fire once again underscores the deadly consequences of preventable mistakes at sea. For maritime workers and their families, it raises important questions: What causes these fires? What injuries do they cause? And what rights do workers have when their lives are upended by a maritime disaster?
In the article below, the maritime injury lawyers at Kherkher Garcia explore the dangers of engine room fires, common causes, potential injuries, and what maritime workers need to know to protect their legal rights after an incident.
The Tragic Cost of Human Error at Sea
Engine room fires are among the most serious emergencies that can occur aboard a ship. These fires not only endanger the lives of crew members in the immediate area but can also cripple the ship’s propulsion, electrical, and safety systems – creating cascading hazards throughout the vessel.
Investigations into recent maritime fires, including those resulting in fatalities, have consistently pointed to human error as a contributing factor. Errors in maintenance procedures, improper fuel transfers, overlooked warning signs, and failure to follow safety protocols have all been implicated.
In one widely reported case, a misstep during maintenance led to a fuel leak in the engine room of a cargo ship. That leak, combined with poor ventilation and the ignition of a hot surface, caused a fire to erupt. Crew members were caught off guard. Tragically, one engineer lost their life trying to shut down the fuel supply, and others suffered serious burns and smoke inhalation injuries.
Fatal Engine Room Fire on Vessel Stride
A deadly engine room fire aboard the cargo vessel Stride was caused by the improper installation of a valve during maintenance, according to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report released today. The incident, which occurred on January 8, 2024, at the Barbours Cut Marine Terminal in LaPorte, Texas, resulted in the deaths of two crew members, serious injury to another, and $12 million in total losses.
The root cause of the accident was traced to the installation of an angle stop check valve instead of the specified angle stop valve in the vessel’s port double bottom diesel oil (DBDO) tank. This mistake, made about six weeks prior to the incident, caused fuel to flow into a common vent line during bunkering. The diesel oil escaped through a previously sealed section of the vent pipe, cascading onto active machinery and igniting the fire.
The NTSB report emphasized the vital importance of selecting correct components during repairs and thoroughly consulting vessel diagrams. It also criticized procedural lapses during the bunkering operation, including failure to monitor tank levels and insufficient staffing – only three engineering crew members were present instead of the required four.
The NTSB recommended maintaining proper staffing and conducting frequent tank soundings to avoid future fuel overflow incidents. The report serves as a stark reminder of how a single maintenance error, combined with procedural failures, can have devastating consequences in maritime operations. The Stride fire stands out as one of the most significant marine losses attributed to an incorrect valve installation in recent years.
Common Causes of Engine Room Fires
The engine room is essentially the heart of a ship. It houses engines, generators, pumps, compressors, and fuel systems—all working under extreme conditions. When safety precautions break down, any one of these components can become a fire hazard.
The most common causes of engine room fires include:
- Fuel Leaks: Leaks from diesel engines, fuel lines, or pumps can ignite when they come into contact with hot surfaces.
- Overheated Equipment: Poor maintenance or overworked systems can cause components to overheat and ignite nearby materials.
- Improper Storage of Flammable Liquids: Cleaning solvents, oils, and other combustibles are sometimes stored or handled incorrectly.
- Electrical Failures: Loose wiring, short circuits, or failed insulation can spark fires in confined engine compartments.
- Poor Housekeeping: Oil-soaked rags, dirty filters, and general clutter increase the risk of fire and hinder emergency responses.
- Negligent Maintenance Practices: Skipping or improperly performing routine checks, inspections, and repairs.
- Lack of Training or Safety Awareness: Crew members may not be adequately trained on fire prevention or emergency protocols.
Many of these incidents could be prevented with proper oversight, adherence to safety procedures, and routine inspections.
Injuries Sustained in Engine Room Fires
The engine room is typically staffed by engineers and mechanics—workers who are often in the line of fire when an emergency occurs. Fires in these areas can escalate quickly and result in life-altering injuries, including:
- Burns: First to third-degree burns from flames or contact with superheated surfaces.
- Smoke Inhalation: Breathing toxic fumes can cause severe respiratory damage and neurological symptoms.
- Blast Injuries: Explosions resulting from ignited vapors or fuel can cause traumatic injuries or death.
- Crush Injuries: Falling equipment, collapsed structures, or panicked evacuations can lead to blunt force trauma.
- Psychological Trauma: Survivors may suffer from PTSD, anxiety, and depression following a traumatic incident.
Sadly, maritime engine room fires are often fatal. However, even those who survive may face long recovery periods, permanent disability, and the loss of a career at sea.
What Maritime Workers Should Know About Their Legal Rights
When a maritime worker is injured or killed due to an engine room fire – or any incident caused by human error – federal maritime law provides specific legal protections and avenues for compensation.
The Jones Act
Under the Jones Act, seamen who are injured due to the negligence of an employer, coworker, or vessel owner have the right to sue for damages. If an engine room fire was caused by poor training, faulty equipment, or failure to maintain the vessel, injured crew members may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
In the case of a wrongful death, surviving family members may also have the right to seek damages.
Unseaworthiness Claims
A shipowner is legally obligated to provide a seaworthy vessel, which includes maintaining safe equipment and systems. If an engine room fire results from a defective component, lack of maintenance, or unsafe conditions, an unseaworthiness claim can be filed under general maritime law.
This type of claim is separate from the Jones Act and does not require proof of negligence—only that the vessel was unfit or unsafe.
Maintenance and Cure
Regardless of fault, injured maritime workers are typically entitled to maintenance and cure benefits.
- Maintenance covers daily living expenses while the worker is recovering.
- Cure covers medical treatment until the worker reaches maximum medical improvement.
Shipowners are legally required to provide these benefits. If they fail to do so, they may be liable for additional damages, including punitive damages.
How a Maritime Injury Lawyer Can Help
After a serious maritime accident, it can be difficult to know where to turn. Employers and insurance companies may try to minimize the worker’s injuries, deny responsibility, or pressure families into fast settlements. That’s where an experienced maritime injury attorney comes in.
At Kherkher Garcia, our legal team helps injured maritime workers and grieving families get the justice they deserve. We understand the unique legal protections afforded to seamen and have decades of experience handling cases involving:
- Engine room fires
- Explosions
- Toxic exposures
- Equipment failures
- Negligence and safety violations
We investigate the cause of the incident, identify liable parties, and aggressively pursue maximum compensation for our clients.
Protecting Yourself After an Engine Room Fire
If you or a loved one has been involved in a maritime incident involving an engine room fire, here are steps you should take to protect your rights:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention – Always prioritize your health. Report injuries to the onboard medical officer and seek follow-up care.
- Report the Incident – Document the fire with your supervisor or captain. Obtain a copy of any incident report.
- Gather Evidence – If possible, collect photos, witness names, and any relevant communications.
- Don’t Sign Anything – Employers may ask you to sign statements or waivers. Consult an attorney before signing.
- Speak to a Maritime Injury Lawyer – A qualified lawyer can help you understand your legal options and file a timely claim.
Free Consultation with a Maritime Injury Lawyer
Engine room fires are among the most terrifying emergencies a crew can face – and when they are caused by human error, they are all the more tragic. These accidents are often preventable, yet continue to occur due to negligence, poor training, or unsafe working conditions.
Maritime workers have legal rights under federal law, and they deserve protection when disaster strikes. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a maritime engine room fire, the attorneys at Kherkher Garcia are here to help. We fight for injured workers and their families to get the full compensation and accountability they deserve.
To start your free consultation, call us at 713-333-1030, or complete our online contact form.
Image by vecstock on Freepik
