ralf2117;
You should get the captain running out recruiting help for his burning ship shortly after going through the city gate. You have enough time to loot the immediate area and head to the docks, but can not delay too long.

Did you kill the guards in the warehouse, or teleport them outside? They reacted somewhat negatively when I destroyed a barrel there or attacked the door.


Darth Shrike;
If you agree to be escorted, you should be able to walk past, and the guards follow (for awhile).