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Scrap-Metal Barge Burns on Delaware River, Sending Smoke Across Region

Coast Guard and local marine crews are moving the unmanned vessel into shallow water to enable land-based firefighting.

Overview

  • The blaze ignited late Tuesday morning near New Castle County, Delaware, on a northbound barge loaded with scrap metal.
  • Aerial footage showed three boats dousing the fires as Coast Guard assets and marine units from Philadelphia, Cape May, and Atlantic City responded.
  • New Castle County fire dispatchers reported no injuries as of 11 a.m., and officials said commercial traffic was not affected.
  • Responders are shifting the barge toward shallower water to improve access for suppression efforts and to begin salvage operations.
  • Environmental agencies reported monitoring for potential impacts, with New Jersey officials tracking air and water quality as the cause remains under investigation.