Marine Safety Office New Orleans

U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release

Date: May 12, 2005

Contact:  Lt. Cmdr. Cheri Ben-Iesau
(504) 589-6261

COAST GUARD RESPONDS TO BARGE FIRE IN WEST PEARL RIVER

NEW ORLEANS- The Coast Guard is responding to the scene of a barge fire near the intersection of Highway 90 and Highway 190 today in West Pearl River about five miles southeast of Slidell, La.

Personnel from Coast Guard Marine Safety Office New Orleans are on the scene of the Coastal II, a 200-foot long tank barge that reportedly caught fire while moored at the Pearl River Navigation Facility this afternoon.

Local fire response units are on scene and have extinguished the fire.  The barge, reportedly empty, has a history of being used to transport asphalt.  The barge reportedly caught fire due to welding operations.

There are no reports of injuries or pollution at this time.  The incident is under investigation by MSO New Orleans.

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