(PHILADELPHIA) — The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies responded to a barge fire Tuesday in Delaware Bay.
Late Tuesday afternoon, the barge was currently being towed to approximately 2 miles off Maurice River Cove, N.J., to remove the threat from the main ship channel, where firefighting efforts will continue.
Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay has established a safety zone, issued a broadcast notice to mariners, and continues to mitigate the risks this fire poses to the port. Multiple fire departments are on scene with fireboats responding to the fire.
No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
At 8:20 a.m., Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay watch standers received a call from the crew of the tugboat Douglas J reporting the barge they were towing was on fire. The report stated the barge was carrying scrap metal.
Sector Delaware Bay watch standers issued an urgent marine information broadcast notice to mariners and deployed responders from Coast Guard Station Philadelphia, Coast Guard Station Cape May, and Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City to assist.
Watch standers also notified partner agencies who deployed assets to assist.
Agencies involved in the response so far:
Wilmington Fire Department
Delaware City Fire Department
Philadelphia Fire Department
New Jersey Office of Emergency Management
Delaware Emergency Management
Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay
Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City
Coast Guard Staton Cape May
Coast Guard Station Philadelphia
– U.S. Coast Guard
