Three Critically Injured After Explosions on Alabama Barges - East Idaho News
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Three Critically Injured After Explosions on Alabama Barges

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Getty N 012612 CargoShip?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1366890876134iStockphoto/Thinkstock(MOBILE, Ala.) — A series of explosions aboard two fuel barges docked in Mobile, Ala., overnight has sent three people to the hospital in critical condition.

The first blast happened Wednesday around 8:30 p.m. local time.  Since then, at least six more explosions have occurred, according to the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department.

“[The] 7th explosion occurred around 2 am,” @MobileFRD tweeted on Thursday.

It added that the fire is out but there are “no plans to move in until daylight.  Plan being formulated as to what course of action.”

Officials decided to let the fire burn out on its own in order to avoid any more injuries.  A 1-nautical-mile safety zone was set around the affected area and the Federal Aviation Administration put a 3-nautical-mile flight restriction in place.

It is not yet clear what caused the barges to explode.

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