Vessel with that ran aground off shore of Oahu now on fire

A U.S.-flagged commercial fishing vessel that ran aground off the shore of Waikiki earlier this week is on fire, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports .

Police say the fire on the 79-foot Pacific Paradise was reported about 10am Saturday.

The Star-Advertiser reports that the Coast Guard has been working to remove pollutants from the vessel, which ran aground on Tuesday.

Police say the fire on the 79-foot Pacific Paradise was reported about 10am Saturday

Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Sara Muir said Wednesday that officials were trying to get diesel fuel off the boat, which carries 13,000 gallons of gas and hydraulic oils.

Muir said there was some fuel that leaked into the ocean but it was unclear how much spilled into the ocean. 

Muir said that some of the ship’s contents spilled into the ocean but it remains unclear how much

The boat’s foreign crew is being held by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials at Pier 17 in Honolulu because they do not have visas to enter the United States. 

At least seven people on the boast were escorted to safety, with none reporting injuries.   

Firefighters attempted to douse the flames with retardant from helicopter, with little impact, leaving the vessel to smolders for hours afterward. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been asked to come in and study the environmental impact of the release.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.  The next window to remove the boat will be at 1.15pm on Sunday, according to the Star-Advertiser. 

At least seven people on the boast were escorted to safety, with none reporting injuries