There are no signs thus far of pollution in the Maumee River from a docked vessel that caught fire Saturday at the Port of Toledo, according to a Coast Guard report.
Oregon firefighters were dispatched at roughly 8:45 p.m. to the Presque Isle dock to battle flames on the stern of the vessel St. Clair, a 762-foot ship moored in the Port of Toledo for winter season repairs, according to a news release. There was no cargo or people onboard at the time of the fire.
The fire was still burning as of Sunday evening, but listed as “under control,” while crews are working to make sure adjacent ships aren’t damaged.
A Coast Guard helicopter crew has so far determined there is no pollution in the Maumee River while members of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determined the “air is clear of pollution” after conducting air quality tests near the ship, the news release shows.
Firefighting foam used to help fight the blaze will also be cleaned from the site using vacuum trucks.
The St. Clair was named for St. Clair, Mich., and entered service in May, 1976, according to the American Steamship Co. website. The vessel is used for the long-haul transport of iron ore pellets, coal, and limestone on the Great Lakes.
First Published February 17, 2019, 10:59 p.m.
