Two fuel barges exploded at a docking site on Alabama’s Mobile River, injuring three.
Fires still raged on Thursday morning, slowing efforts of emergency responders to contain the damage, The Associated Press reported. At least six explosions were reported. Residents as far as 20 miles away could hear them, AP said.
The three who were transported to the hospital were treated for burn wounds and were regarded in critical condition on Thursday, AP reported.
“We were up on a second floor balcony and the sky lit up in orange and yellow,” said Alan Waugh, the general manager of an inn that’s located half a mile across the river, in the AP reported.
Steve Huffman with Mobile Fire and Rescue said the cause of the explosions had yet to be determined. Workers had been prepping the equipment for reload when the explosion occurred, he told AP.
Authorities have closed the area to shipping to let the fires burn.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.