Tugboat fire erupts on Delaware River; Coast Guard mounts rescue operation

PHILADELPHIA — The U.S. Coast Guard and local agencies responded to a tugboat fire near Pea Patch Island on the Delaware River on Tuesday.

All four crew members were safely evacuated by good Samaritans before the fire was extinguished. The vessel is now under tow.

Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay deployed crews from Station Philadelphia and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City to assist.

At 9:26 a.m., watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay received a distress call on VHF Channel 16 reporting the fire.

Authorities issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and dispatched response teams. Local agencies also sent assets to the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.