Fires on cruise ships are statistically rare, but they are considered the most significant safety threat in the maritime industry. On average, there are roughly six to seven reported fires annually across the global cruise fleet, which consists of hundreds of vessels. Most of these incidents occur in high-risk "hotspots" like the engine room or laundry facilities, where high heat and flammable oils are present. Because a ship is a self-contained city, fire safety is taken with extreme seriousness; modern ships are equipped with advanced smoke detectors, automatic sprinkler systems, and fire-resistant "A-60" bulkheads that can contain a blaze for up to an hour. The crew undergoes rigorous weekly fire-fighting training, and specialized fire squads are available 24/7. While high-profile incidents like the 2013 Carnival Triumph fire capture headlines, the vast majority of cruise ship fires are extinguished quickly by automated systems or crew members before passengers are even aware of a problem.