I guess better to burn there then @ sea & harm sailors!
Doesn't that assume a watch crew was onboard and detected it in a timely manner.I suprised they didn't seal up the compartment & hit the halon button.
National City docks, used to be destroyer row. Forward of engine room so probably welder hit a fuel storage tank. Even empty they are very flammable. All the hoses,wires and construction stuff gets in the way of closing off. Probably D.C. crew on shore so contractors are F.D. Halon is very harmful to personnel. IIRC only used around JP fuel.