UPDATED: Barge Fire in Delaware River off Woodland Beach–Extinguished

Image courtesy WTXF/FOX 29 Philadelphia

UPDATED: 03-11-26: 4 PM (from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay): Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay responders and their partners from local, state, and federal agencies have confirmed with thermal images this morning that the barge fire in Delaware Bay has been extinguished. A marine salvage company has been hired by the barge’s owner and the partner agencies will continue to work closely to ensure the safety of the public and marine transportation system as a salvage plan is finalized and the barge transits to port in Camden, New Jersey. The multi-agency response has been ongoing since 8:20 a.m., yesterday, when the fire was first reported to Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders.

UPDATED 03-11-26: Agencies from the U.S. Coast Guard, the State of Delaware, and the State of New Jersey have coordinated response efforts since yesterday and early this morning and have declared the barge fire under control. No injuries were reported for this incident. Officials say the barge was carrying salvage metal at the time of the incident. Multiple fire companies worked diligently to extinguish the fire, while state agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard coordinated resources to support response operations and minimize impacts to federal waterways, coastal communities, and the surrounding environment. The U.S. Coast Guard is ensuring the vessel is stable and can safely proceed to Camden, New Jersey, where the material will be offloaded. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control continues to monitor air quality in Delaware through a system of land-based air monitors. 

Additional Information from DEMA, U.S. Coast Guard, and New Jersey Office of Emergency Management:

The unified response highlights the strong interagency partnership and commitment to protecting public safety, maritime commerce, and the environment.

The agencies working throughout the incident included Port Penn Fire Company, Townsend Fire Company, Wilmington Fire Department, Anne Arundel Fire Department in Maryland, Camden Fire Department in New Jersey,  Good Will Fire Company, Leipsic Volunteer Fire Company, Bowers Fire Company, South Bowers Fire Company, Delaware State Police, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s (DNREC) Police Fish and Wildlife Team, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Emergency Response Team, the New Castle County Office of Emergency Management, Kent County Department of Public Safety, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Northstar Challenger Salvage Vessel, and Tug Boat Douglas J.

Original Post:

Multiple agencies were on the scene of a barge fire in the Delaware Bay in the area off Woodland Beach. DEMA officials say the barge is carrying salvage metal and was moved to shallow water so that the on-scene responders could extinguish the fire and complete salvage operations. No injuries have been reported. Firefighters from Kent and New Castle County along with DEMA, the US Coast Guard and Philadelphia Fire Department were called around 9:30 Tuesday morning.