The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) presented its findings of the fire on the Carnival Cruise Line ship Ecstacy on February 18, 1999. Investigators determined the cause of the fire was a spark from a welder's torch being used to repair an ironing board machine in the ship's laundry room. The fire ignited lint in the machine, causing flames to shoot up through air ducts lined with lint and letting out onto the mooring deck, where 7,200 pounds of polypropylene rope was stored. The fire, which started shortly after it left the Port of Miami on July 20, caused $15 million in damage. The NTSB will release a final report this year along with safety recommendations.
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