NUKU'ALOFA'S Fire Services saved the lower deck of the Pacific Blue 18, after the fishing vessel's wheelhouse caught on fire on Friday morning, May 7 at Faua Wharf.

Fire Officer Sinamoni Kauvaka said the fishing vessel of the Pacific Blue Company which has owners from China was reported to be on fire around 9:13am. He said the start of the fire was being investigated.

Sinamoni said the fire was reported to them by one of their workers who was near the area and saw the smoke.

He also confirmed that two-crew members were inside the vessel working on the generator below deck when the fire broke out. No one was hurt and the two men were able to get off the boat unharmed, he said.

The damage, which was confined to the wheelhouse, is estimated at $100,000 as the ship's navigational equipment went up in smoke.