An explosion rocked a cargo ship carrying coal in Baltimore, inflicting a hearth and sending a stream of smoke into the sky however leaving no accidents, authorities mentioned Monday night.
U.S. Coast Guard crews and firefighters from town of Baltimore had been amongst those that responded to the incident, and the fireplace was extinguished on the still-moving vessel, Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew West mentioned.
The reason for the blast and subsequent fireplace was below investigation, he mentioned. Video from the scene confirmed black smoke nonetheless billowing from the vessel, which authorities mentioned is known as W-Sapphire.
The cargo ship was carrying coal in a channel outbound from Baltimore Harbor close to the location of final yr’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, West mentioned.
In a press release, the Baltimore Metropolis Fireplace Division described the placement as being within the “Patapsco River close to the previous Key Bridge website.”
It mentioned 23 folks had been on board the 751 “bulk service” and none reported damage. The vessel, nonetheless, was “exhibiting indicators of harm in line with a hearth and explosion.”
The Coast Guard and fireplace division mentioned the incident was reported about 6:30 p.m.
Authorities had been sustaining a 500-yard security zone across the cargo ship. That might preclude vessel site visitors by way of the principle transport channel, which has been described as being 700 ft extensive.
On March 26, a cargo ship drifted into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, inflicting partial collapse and killing six folks, together with highway employees who had been atop the construction.
