Fuel barges explode, causing large fire in Ala.

By The Associated Press

Posted 7:18AM on Thursday 25th April 2013 ( 12 years ago )

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) -- A large fire that began with explosions aboard two fuel barges in Mobile, Ala., is burning into Thursday morning after injuring three people.

U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Carlos Vega said shortly before dawn Thursday that the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Firefighters from Mobile and Coast Guard officials responded after 8:30 p.m. CDT Wednesday to a pair of explosions involving the gas barges in an area of the Mobile River east of downtown, authorities said. Additional explosions followed over the next few hours.

Authorities say three people were brought to University of South Alabama Medical Center after suffering burn-related injuries.

A massive explosion at 3 a.m. EDT on one of the two barges still ablaze in the Mobile River in Mobile, Ala., on Thursday. Three people were injured in the blast. (AP Photo John David Mercer)

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