Massive Fire Erupts On Scrap Metal Barge With Smoke Billows Seen For Miles

A ample fire erupted Tuesday greeting connected a barge laden pinch scrap metallic successful nan Delaware Bay, prompting a swift consequence from emergency services.

The U.S. Coast Guard was alerted to nan blaze astir 8 a.m., dispatching a helicopter and 2 boats to nan scene, according to Petty Officer First Class Matthew West. Local occurrence departments besides joined nan effort. West confirmed that nan unmanned barge was being moved by a tugboat erstwhile nan occurrence collapsed out, and fortunately, nary injuries were reported.

Several hours later, nan occurrence continued to burn, though vessel postulation successful nan area remained unaffected. Boats were observed connected some sides of nan stationary barge, deploying h2o cannons onto nan burning metallic piles arsenic heavy smoke billowed from aggregate points connected nan vessel.

The origin of nan occurrence is presently nether investigation, West stated.