December 19, 2004
CBS2 Chicago
CHICAGO (CBS 2) Firefighters have successfully put out a a fire on the Southwest Side after a violent explosion ripped through an oil barge that was floating in the Sanitary and Ship Canal just east of Cicero Avenue drawbridge.
The back half of the barge was consumed by fire. Initial reports indicate that it was a petroleum barge. A local pipe line was hooked up to the barge at the time of the explosion, said Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford.
The barge sunk down and settled onto part of the riverbed. The deck planking was torn away in sheets and the outer side walls of the barge buckled by the impact.
Additional debris from the explosion has been blown quite a distance onto the Cicero Avenue drawbridge. Police worked to close the bridge and clear it for rush-hour traffic.
Extreme heat is coming off the barge, which has come to rest mid-channel in close proximity to power lines.
The tug boat that was pushing the barge is trying to relocate the barge or secure it in position.
It is not known what has triggered this massive explosion.
A Level 1 hazardous materials incident has been called. Firefighters are responding from all over the southwest suburbs.
It is not known whether there any casualities.
http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_019175805.html
Huge Explosion on Chicago Barge