Baltimore, MD — An explosion rocked a cargo ship carrying coal in the Patapsco River near the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Monday evening, sparking a fire and sending a thick plume of black smoke into the air. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Firefighters and Coast Guard Respond Quickly
According to Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew West, both Coast Guard crews and Baltimore Fire Department firefighters responded swiftly to the emergency. Despite the ship still moving, the fire was successfully extinguished.
“The cause of the blast and subsequent fire is still under investigation,” said West. Video footage from the scene showed black smoke still billowing from the ship, W-Sapphire, as emergency responders worked to control the situation.
Cargo Ship Details and Safety Concerns
The explosion occurred as the cargo ship was outbound from Baltimore Harbor, carrying coal. The location was described as near the former Key Bridge site, which is significant due to its proximity to the Francis Scott Key Bridge, where a similar incident occurred last year, causing a partial collapse.
- 23 people were on board the W-Sapphire, and no injuries were reported.
- The Coast Guard has imposed a 500-yard safety zone around the vessel, potentially restricting vessel traffic through the main shipping channel.
Previous Bridge Collapse Raises Safety Concerns
This incident comes nearly a year after a cargo ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing a partial collapse and tragically killing six people, including road workers on the bridge.
As reported by NBC News, authorities are still assessing the extent of damage to the vessel and ensuring safety measures are in place to prevent further risks in the shipping lane.
What do you think about the growing concerns over ship safety in the area? Share your thoughts in the comments.
