Massive Fire Erupts on Scrap Metal Barge in Delaware Bay

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A massive fire broke out on Tuesday morning on a barge carrying scrap metal in the Delaware Bay near New Castle, Delaware. The U.S. Coast Guard and local fire departments responded to the scene, but there were no reported injuries. The barge was being moved by a tugboat at the time of the fire, and ship traffic was not impacted. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Why it matters

Fires on vessels carrying hazardous materials like scrap metal can pose significant environmental and public safety risks, requiring a coordinated emergency response to contain the blaze and prevent further damage or pollution. The Delaware Bay is an important estuary that connects the Delaware River to the Atlantic Ocean, so a major fire incident in this area could have far-reaching consequences.

The details

The fire broke out around 8 a.m. on Tuesday on an unmanned barge carrying large piles of scrap metal that was being moved by a tugboat on the Delaware Bay. The U.S. Coast Guard responded with a helicopter and two boats, while local fire departments from Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware also arrived on the scene. Firefighters worked to extinguish the multiple fires burning on the barge, which was shifting position towards the New Jersey side of the bay. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control said the barge was being moved to shallower water and that they were monitoring the air quality in the area.

• The fire broke out around 8 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.