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Barge Fire Closes Mobile River Shipping Channel, Heavy Smoke Billows

1/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A barge fire on the Mobile River prompted the U.S. Coast Guard to close the shipping channel from mile marker 2 to mile marker 4.
Mobile Fire-Rescue Department and Coast Guard crews deployed fire boats and land-based units to fight the blaze.
The barge carried scrap metal cars, producing heavy smoke visible from the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge.
The Coast Guard maintains a safety zone until the fire is extinguished.

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Story summary

A barge fire on the Mobile River prompted the U.S. Coast Guard to close the shipping channel from mile marker 2 to mile marker 4.
Mobile Fire-Rescue Department and Coast Guard crews deployed fire boats and land-based units to fight the blaze.
The barge carried scrap metal cars, producing heavy smoke visible from the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge.
The Coast Guard maintains a safety zone until the fire is extinguished.