Three Burned When Alabama Barges Explode

Firefighters on Thursday extinguished a huge blaze that erupted hours earlier when two fuel barges exploded, leaving three people with critical burns and forcing the evacuation of crew members from a nearby cruise ship.

The cause of the explosions remained under investigation, but investigators believe it was likely from a spark caused by a crew member cleaning the barges, Coast Guard Lt. Mike Clausen said.

Firefighters from Mobile and Coast Guard officials responded to the pair of Wednesday-night explosions involving the gas barges in the Mobile River east of downtown. More explosions followed over the next few hours.

Authorities say three people were brought to the University of South Alabama Medical Center for burn-related injuries. They remained in critical condition Thursday, hospital spokesman Bob Lowry said.

Across the river, workers were evacuated from the Carnival Triumph, the cruise ship that became disabled in the Gulf of Mexico in February before it was towed to Mobile’s port for repairs. A cruise spokesman said none of its workers were injured.

This article appeared in print on page 3 of the April 26th, 2013 edition of Hamodia.