Ship worker knocked out by fumes as fermenting molasses turns into ‘rum’

A worker had to be rescued after being knocked unconscious when fermenting molasses created a “hazardous environment” and started turning into ‘rum’ on board a cargo ship.

As reported by ABC13, firefighters were called at around 9:30am local time on Thursday (18 January) to the Port of Houston after a worker on board a ship was knocked unconscious.

The ship’s hold contained molasses which had started to ferment, creating what has been described as a “hazardous environment”.

A fire crew from the Port of Houston Fire Department wearing projective gear were able to rescue the trapped worker.

Captain Marcus Woodring, chief officer of health, safety, security and emergency management at the Port of Houston, said: “In this particular case, the cover to the hatch the gentleman was down was probably about the size of a manhole cover. So very, very tight, and you have to have very specialised gear to get down there”.

The molasses, which officials described as “food grade,” will start to ferment if left exposed to certain temperatures.

Port of Houston fire chief William Buck added: “It was extremely difficult with the molasses product in there. Very sticky. And crews had to be decontaminated after we removed him. The patient had to be decontaminated”.

The worker was taken to Memorial Hermann hospital for treatment.