Fire on merchant ship off Mumbai doused completely

"The damaged containers do not contain any dangerous cargo," the official said.

Professional salvors, domestic as well as from abroad, had arrived on the ship to undertake assessment of the damage.

"Twenty-six containers in and around the seat of fire have been opened and seven were found damaged because of the fire," said the official.

Deflooding of the vessel had already started and salvors would now initiate measures to ensure safety on board the ship, the official added.

The fire broke out on the Colombo-bound merchant vessel - Antigua and Barbuda-flagged - off Mumbai coast on September 9.

Yesterday, as the fire was mostly brought under control, the officials had expressed worry about "hazardous" cargo on board.

The crew was safe.