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An explosion rocked a cargo ship near Baltimore Harbor Monday evening, sending emergency crews scrambling to respond near the same location where the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed last year.
All 23 crew members aboard the vessel escaped injury in the dramatic incident that occurred around 6:30 p.m. ET, according to local station WBFF.
The W Sapphire, a 751-foot bulk carrier, experienced a fire and explosion while navigating the Patapsco River near the former bridge site. Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD) units responded immediately by both land and water, deploying specialized fireboats to assist the damaged vessel.
SHIP EXPLOSION! Wild scene after explosion on a 751 foot commercial vessel with 23 people on board. Fortunately, all reported okay. Fireboats & Coast Guard working scene–and–not far from the former Baltimore Key Bridge which was destroyed by a Cargo ship collision last year.… pic.twitter.com/5cRmxOrRSG
— Scott Thuman (@ScottThuman) August 19, 2025
Despite the severity of the blast, the bulk carrier remained afloat throughout the incident and received critical assistance from tugboats to maintain stability in the busy shipping channel, WBFF reported.
Governor Wes Moore addressed the incident on X, emphasizing state coordination with federal authorities Monday night saying, “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.”
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