.png)
Fire in Louisiana bayou: A fire kept burning in a Louisiana bayou on Wednesday, a day after it was sparked by a tugboat accident.
A fire in a bayou south of New Orleans raged until Wednesday, a day after it was ignited when a tugboat hit an oil pipeline.
Coast Guard Petty Officer Alex Washington told The Associated Press on Wednesday that liquid petroleum in the pipeline is still burning out.
“All crew members were able to exit the tug; the captain reportedly suffered second to third-degree degree burns,” the Coast Guard said, according to the news agency.
Another Coast Guard official said the collision took place Tuesday when a tugboat pushing an oil barge struck the line in a marsh area in Lafourche and Jefferson parishes in Louisiana. The 154-foot barge was carrying thousands of gallons of oil, reported WDSU television.
“We are aggressively responding with our state and local partners to mitigate the fire and prevent any potential impacts from oil that entered the water,” Sector New Orleans Incident Commander Russ Bowen told the station.
The Coast Guard sent helicopters and shallow-water boats to investigate the fire.
Jefferson Parish Councilman Chris Roberts told WWL-TV that the fire is burning on very shallow water, only around a foot deep. He said that authorities would not approach it or would not try to put it out.
The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 21 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.
