AP News, February 2nd, 2007
A barge carrying crude oil erupted into flames and drifted about 12 miles down the Mississippi River after striking a railroad bridge, authorities said, spilling oil and shutting the river to traffic.
The flaming barge, one of four carrying oil, was corralled and pushed against the riverbank downstream from Vicksburg after the accident Thursday night. The barge was completely engulfed by flames and remained on fire Friday, spilling flaming oil in the area, the Coast Guard said.
The Coast Guard and environmental officials flew over the area Friday to determine the scope of the spill.
"Once we get a really good picture from the aircraft, we'll know what pollution assets to start rolling in there," Chief Petty Officer James Tylman said.
No injuries were reported, authorities said.
Authorities closed the railroad bridge and the Interstate 20 bridge that crosses the river at the same point, but have since reopened I-20, the only road across the river.
"Everyone is safe, which is the most important thing," Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said.
The barges are operated by Florida Marine Transporters Inc., based in Mandeville, La. An official there said they planned to release a statement later Friday.
John Roberts, the captain of a towboat pushing the barges, called in the accident as soon as it happened, authorities said. The vessel was pushing the barges downstream as the river was rising because of recent rains.
Pace said it is common for barge floats, which are pushed downriver by towboats, to hit a bridge.
"What's different here is it caught fire," he said.
