PHILADELPHIA — The Coast Guard and partner agencies are responding to a barge fire in the Delaware Bay, Tuesday.
The barge is currently being towed to approximately 2 miles off Maurice River Cove, New Jersey, 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 fighting the fire.
No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
At 8:20 a.m., Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders received a call from the tug Douglas J reporting the barge they were towing was on fire.
The report stated the barge was carrying scrap metal.
Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders 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.
Watchstanders 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
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