Posted on 08/19/2025 6:45:30 AM PDT by EinNYC
Updated: 11:13 PM EDT Aug 18, 2025 Editorial Standards ⓘ Jake Shindel Digital Content Producer Khiree Stewart News Anchor, Reporter BALTIMORE — An apparent explosion on a ship near the site of the Key Bridge has been fully contained, according to Baltimore City fire officials.
Baltimore City fire spokesperson John Marsh said no injuries have been reported on the W-Sapphire, a 751-foot bulk carrier that had a crew of 23 people.
Marsh said the carrier showed "signs of damage consistent with a fire and explosion."
Mike Singer, a member of the Baltimore and Chesapeake Bay Shipwatchers group, said the ship was full of coal and had just left the CSX Coal Dock.
The explosion happened at 6:28 p.m., Singer said. The ships come out of the dock four to six times per week, Singer said.
Marsh said firefighters responded by both land and water, and that the ship will be moved to an anchorage area and will remain there until it is cleared by the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard told 11 News the ship was outbound from the harbor on Monday when the explosion occurred.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, the Coast Guard said.
In a statement on X, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said:
"State agencies are responding to the situation near Baltimore Harbor. My office is in touch with local and federal authorities, and we are closely monitoring the situation. "Additional information will be provided as it becomes available."
Spectacular explosion, considering no injuries .... say a prayer of thanks ....
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The thing about this that I found interesting is the vessel was bound for Mauritius. I've been there twice and it is a very long voyage from Baltimore. We must be selling cheap coal these days.
1800’s US West Coast imported coal from Australia.
The ocean miles are the cheapest part of the shipment.
It’s an interesting point, re-learning something at different stages of your life, having a different aspect. We change, but what was written hasn’t. I am doing that with the Bible.
Coal dust ignited?
An apparent explosion on a ship? An apparent explosion on a ship ? An apparent explosion on a ship ?
It went KABOOM!! It was an explosion on the ship!
An apparent explosion.
On an apparent ship, apparently.
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