The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(NEW ORLEANS) — The Coast Guard and local agencies responded to a barge fire on the Mobile River near Mobile, Ala., on Sunday.
Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a report from Mobile County Fire Department of a barge on fire at mile marker 3 on the Mobile River at approximately 10 a.m. The barge is carrying scrap metal and is aground on the riverbank. No crewmembers were reported to be aboard the barge when it caught fire.
A Coast Guard Station Dauphin Island 45-foot response boat-medium boat crew is on scene escorting vessel traffic through the area. Mobile County Fire Department is also on scene conducting firefighting efforts.
There have been no reports of pollution or injuries.
The cause incident is under investigation.
The following is a Facebook post by Mobile Fire-Rescue:
Second-alarm barge fire near Cochrane Bridge. #MFRD fire personnel are still on scene after a 09:58 initial dispatch. Two barges (linked) carrying demolished/crushed cars. No reported injuries. No other vessels involved or at risk. No word yet on cause of fire(s).
