Ship investigation progresses | News

ASHTABULA – The investigation into a major fire in March on a ship anchored in Ashtabula Harbor for renovations has preliminary determined that it was an accident.

But authorities are taking a closer look at whether similar incidents can be prevented, said Stephen Chase, an investigator with the Ashtabula Fire Department.

He said a final report on the fire will not be available until next year. The National Transportation Safety Board, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Ashtabula Fire Department and insurance company investigators representing various parties have been working on the project.

Chase said a decision on scrapping the Cuyahoga has not yet been made. The fire occurred on March 15 and drew a large crowd to the harbor as thick black smoke rose from the ship.

Chase said at the time that a cargo hold caught fire and soon after, a conveyor belt system also ignited. He said more than 20 firefighters were battling the blaze.

Investigators hope the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms’ Fire Research Laboratory will test some of the materials involved.

“The tests they’re doing are … beyond good and evil,” Chase said.

He said the Coast Guard is working with the ATF to determine the possibility of testing, but nothing has been finalized yet.

He said it was important to examine whether changes to the materials used on ships were necessary or needed to be implemented.

“It’s just important as a criminal investigation,” he said, because it could save lives or property.