Fireboats Respond to Burning Barge in Delaware Bay

No injuries reported as multiple agencies work to extinguish the fire and mitigate risks to the port

Mar. 10, 2026 at 9:52pm

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The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies responded to a barge fire on Tuesday in Delaware Bay. The barge, carrying scrap metal, was being towed when it caught fire. Firefighters from multiple departments are on the scene using fireboats to battle the blaze, which was located approximately 2 miles off Maurice River Cove, New Jersey to remove the threat from the main ship channel.

Why it matters

Barge fires pose a significant risk to maritime traffic and the surrounding environment, requiring a coordinated response from various emergency agencies to quickly extinguish the flames and mitigate any potential damage or disruption to port operations.

The details

At 8:20 a.m., the Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay received a call from the crew of the tugboat Douglas J reporting the barge they were towing was on fire. Sector Delaware Bay immediately issued an urgent marine information broadcast, deployed responders, and notified partner agencies who sent additional assets to assist. The barge is currently being towed to a location approximately 2 miles off Maurice River Cove to continue firefighting efforts and remove the threat from the main ship channel.

  • At 8:20 a.m., Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay received the initial report of the barge fire.
  • Late Tuesday afternoon, the barge was being towed to approximately 2 miles off Maurice River Cove, N.J.

The players

U.S. Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard is the lead agency coordinating the response and mitigation efforts for the barge fire in Delaware Bay.

Wilmington Fire Department

One of the local fire departments assisting with firefighting efforts on the scene.

Delaware City Fire Department

One of the local fire departments assisting with firefighting efforts on the scene.

Philadelphia Fire Department

One of the local fire departments assisting with firefighting efforts on the scene.

New Jersey Office of Emergency Management

The state emergency management agency coordinating with local and federal agencies to respond to the incident.

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What’s next

Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay has established a safety zone and continues to monitor the situation to ensure the fire is fully extinguished and the port can safely resume normal operations.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of robust emergency response protocols and interagency coordination to quickly address maritime emergencies and mitigate risks to public safety and commerce.