A major maritime emergency unfolded on Hull Dock on June 27, 2025, when a fire erupted aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship ‘Altay’, docked at Albert Dock, Hull, UK, around 10:22 AM BST (Hull Dock Ship Fire). With the ship carrying highly combustible scrap metal, flames quickly escalated, leading to thick plumes of smoke covering Hull’s skyline, road closures, and the evacuation of over 350 festival attendees (1,2,3). No injuries were reported, but the scale of the incident drew comparisons to similar past disasters involving scrap cargo across the UK.
Here’s a full breakdown of the incident, the response, and why this isn’t the first time scrap metal fires have wreaked havoc at UK docks.
🚨 What Happened at Hull Dock?
The vessel ‘Altay’, a bulk carrier built in 2006, had been docked in Hull since June 23, 2025. On the morning of June 27, fire broke out inside its cargo hold, which was loaded with scrap metal—a notorious catalyst for combustion due to residual oils and metal-on-metal friction (1,4).
Emergency services quickly responded:
- 4 fire engines and an aerial platform from Humberside Fire and Rescue Service
- Support from Hull Coastguard Rescue Team and ambulance units (1,2)
Despite the scale, all crew were accounted for safely, with no casualties (2). However, the fire released a huge smoke plume, visible from Hull’s city center and beyond. This led to:
- Public health warnings to close windows and doors (3)
- Closure of major roads including English Street, Wellington Street, and Jackson Street (3)
- Evacuation of the Big Malarkey Festival, impacting 355 people (1,3)
🔥 Hull Dock Ships With Scrap Metal Gets Fires – A Recurring Patter
This isn’t Hull’s first rodeo with dockside fires—and it’s far from an isolated case. Scrap metal has proven to be a recurring fire hazard in shipping, and several high-profile UK incidents underscore the risk.
Here’s a quick look at some recent cases:
| Location | Date | Cause | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tilbury Docks | Dec 2023 | 5,000 tonnes of scrap caught fire | Controlled with ship crew help, no injuries (4) |
| Canada Dock, Liverpool | Nov 2020 | Scrap fire in cargo hold | 6 fire engines responded, blaze managed (5) |
| Southampton Docks | Jan 2022 | 8,000 tonnes of scrap ablaze | Fire controlled by local crews (6) |
| Hull – King George Dock | Sept 1956 | Oil + pit wood cargo ignited | Ship severely damaged (8) |
Each of these events shares common themes: massive smoke release, community impact, and months of recovery. The Altay fire fits right into this troubling pattern.
🚧 Community Disruption & Safety Concerns
The evacuation of the Big Malarkey Festival and traffic gridlock around Hull weren’t just footnotes—they highlight the widespread disruption these fires cause. Smoke inhalation risks led to public health advisories, while festival-goers had to leave mid-event (1,3).
Hull City Council and emergency services shared live updates via X (formerly Twitter), helping residents stay informed in real time (3,7). Travel advisories were even issued by local sports teams like Hull KR (7).
Though no one was hurt, the long-term environmental impact of burning scrap metal—including potential toxic emissions—remains a concern. Such fires can release substances like lead, zinc oxide, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into the air and nearby water sources, making cleanup more complicated (4,6).
🛑 What’s Next: Calls for Safety Overhaul
The Altay fire is just the latest reminder that UK port authorities, shipping companies, and regulators need a tighter grip on scrap metal cargo protocols. Fire detection systems, more rigorous cargo inspections, and dedicated emergency response drills must become standard practice.
Preventive tech and training could turn future potential disasters into non-events.
✍️ Final Thoughts
The June 27 cargo ship fire in Hull wasn’t just an isolated scare—it was a stark example of how volatile scrap metal cargo can be when safety measures fall short. While emergency services deserve massive credit for their quick response, this should be a wake-up call to overhaul how such cargo is transported and stored across the UK.
With similar incidents in Tilbury, Liverpool, and Southampton still fresh in memory, it’s time for ports and shipping firms to act before the next one sparks off.
📚 References
- BBC News. Ship on fire in Hull dock: shops and roads closed [Internet]. 2025 Jun 27 [cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available from: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgwpv7qgv3o
- Humberside Fire and Rescue. Incident update: ship fire at Albert Dock [Internet]. X; 2025 Jun 27 [cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available from: https://x.com/HumbersideFire/status/1938533368779432227
- Hull City Council. Road closures due to ship fire [Internet]. X; 2025 Jun 27 [cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available from: https://x.com/Hullccnews/status/1938563759431184833
- Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. Ship fire at Tilbury Docks [Internet]. 2023 Dec 6 [cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available from: https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/ship-fire-2023-12-06-17-43
- Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service. Fire on a ship in Canada Dock [Internet]. 2020 Nov [cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available from: https://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/media-centre/latest-incidents/fire-on-a-ship-in-canada-dock/
- Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service. Crews called to scrap metal fire onboard ship at Southampton Docks [Internet]. 2022 Jan [cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available from: https://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/incident/crews-called-to-scrap-metal-fire-onboard-ship-at-southampton-docks/
- Hull KR Official. Travel advice due to ship fire [Internet]. X; 2025 Jun 27 [cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available from: https://x.com/hullkrofficial/status/1938599793225339339
- Humberside Fire and Rescue. Boat Fire Safety Week: a look back at our history [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jun 27]. Available from: https://humbersidefire.gov.uk/newsroom/news/boat-fire-safety-week-a-look-back-at-our-history
