Coast Guard, Multiple Agencies Battle Barge Fire in Delaware Bay

Image Courtesy of 6ABC Action News

NEW CASTLE COUNTY, Del. – Multiple agencies spent Tuesday morning responding to a barge fire in the Delaware Bay.

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) says the barge is carrying salvage metal and is being moved to shallow water, approximately two miles off Maurice River Cove, New Jersey. From there, it will be secured to allow responders on-scene to extinguish the fire and complete salvage operations. No injuries have been reported at this time, and the cause of the fire remains 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. Coast Guard officials quickly established a safety zone, issued a Broadcast Notice to Mariners, and continues to mitigate the risks this fire poses to the port.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is on scene to perform air monitoring. Additional responding agencies to this incident include Wilmington Fire Department, Good Will Fire Company, Leipsic Volunteer Fire Company, Bowers Fire Company, South Bowers Fire Company, Delaware State Police, the New Castle County Office of Emergency Management, and the Kent County Department of Public Safety. The Philadelphia Fire Department is enroute to assist. 

WMDT will have updates on this as they are made available.