A series of seven large blasts on a fuel barge in Mobile, Alabama, rocked the area Wednesday night, critically injuring three. An evacuation zone was set up after firefighters were unable to put out the blaze, which they hope will burn out overnight.
The first blast occurred on a natural gas barge on the east side of the Mobile River at around 8:30pm local time, and was followed shortly afterwards by four more blasts. Fox10 News has reported that the barges may still be carrying hundreds of gallons of gasoline.
The explosions took place on two barges in the Austal shipyard, the Mobile Fire and Rescue Department reported. The vessels were transporting natural gas, and were believed to be partially emptied, according to Steve Huffman, a Mobile Fire-Rescue spokesperson.
