Delaware Bay Barge Fire Declared Under Control

SMYRNA, Del. - Agencies from the U.S. Coast Guard, the State of Delaware, and the State of New Jersey have coordinated response efforts since yesterday and early this morning and have declared the barge fire under control. No injuries were reported for this incident.
The barge was carrying salvage metal at the time of the incident. Multiple fire companies worked diligently to extinguish the fire, while state agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard coordinated resources to support response operations and minimize impacts to federal waterways, coastal communities, and the surrounding environment.

This morning, the U.S. Coast Guard will ensure the vessel is stable and able to safely proceed to Camden, New Jersey, where the material will be offloaded. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control continues to monitor air quality in Delaware through a system of land-based air monitors.

The unified response highlights the strong interagency partnership and commitment to protecting public safety, maritime commerce, and the environment.

The agencies working throughout the incident included Port Penn Fire Company, Townsend Fire Company, Wilmington Fire Department, Anne Arundel Fire Department in Maryland, Camden Fire Department in New Jersey, Good Will Fire Company, Leipsic Volunteer Fire Company, Bowers Fire Company, South Bowers Fire Company, Delaware State Police, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's (DNREC) Police Fish and Wildlife Team, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's Emergency Response Team, the New Castle County Office of Emergency Management, Kent County Department of Public Safety, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Northstar Challenger Salvage Vessel, and Tug Boat Douglas J.

For inquiries or more information, please contact the Delaware Emergency Management Agency's Joint Information Center at [email protected], the Coast Guard East District at [email protected], or the RP Safety Health and Environmental at [email protected].