The fire was caused by an electrical problem in the ship’s kitchen
A Somali pirate says a fire is tearing through a hijacked ship that pirates are holding off the country’s coast.
The pirate, who gave his name as Hassan Abdi, said an undisclosed number of pirates and hostages were forced to abandon the bulk cargo carrier MV Orna. Abdi said it is believed the fire was caused by an electrical problem in the ship’s kitchen.
Abdi said that plumes of smoke were rising over the ship as the fire moved through it.
Cmdr. Paddy O’Kennedy of the European Union Naval Force said he had heard reports of the fire from a credible source but that the EU Naval Force hadn’t independently confirmed the information.
The MV Orna was seized in December about 400 miles (640 kilometers) northeast of Seychelles.
Source: AP
