Baltimore, Maryland, Aug 19 — A cargo ship caught fire in Baltimore Harbor near the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Monday evening, officials said. No injuries have been reported.
The Maryland Department of Emergency Management confirmed awareness of the incident and said there was no damage beyond the vessel. The Baltimore City Fire Department told WJZ-TV that the fire began under deck, producing heavy smoke, though reports of an explosion have not yet been confirmed.
Video footage captured at 6:28 p.m. showed a fireball rising from the ship’s forward hold. Some residents reported feeling the impact. “It shook my whole house,” said local resident Noah Bennet. According to details received by The Chenab Times, the blast was visible from several points around the Chesapeake Bay.
Maritime expert Sal Mercogliano told WJZ-TV that the vessel involved may be the MV W Sapphire, a bulk carrier bound for Mauritius. The ship has been escorted off Fort Howard while U.S. Coast Guard vessels and fire crews continue firefighting efforts.
The fire occurred close to the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in March 2024 after a container ship collision, killing six workers and disrupting port operations for months. Officials said the cause of Monday’s incident is still under investigation.
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