The 55 meter long, 839 dwt cargo vessel Heiko caught fire off Flatøy, Norway. The Heiko was proceeding in ballast in heavy seas when it suffered engine failure. Soon after a fire broke out in the engine room and quickly spread to other compartments on the Heiko. The four crew on board sent out a distress call stating the Heiko was disabled and on fire. Authorities dispatched a rescue boat and helicopter to the scene. One crewman was saved by the rescue boat while three others were hoisted to safety by the helicopter. Reports state one crew person on the Heiko suffered a broken arm during the incident.
With heavy seas and gale force winds, rescuers were unable to combat the fire on board the Heiko. Authorities state the fire had consumed much of the vessel’s superstructure. The Heiko continued to drift until it ran aground.
