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BALTIMORE— A fireball ripped through the bulk carrier W Sapphire on Monday, August 18, 2025, as the vessel sailed outbound from Baltimore near the site of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, igniting an emergency response from the U.S. Coast Guard and fire crews.
The explosion was recorded at 6:28 p.m., when flames erupted from the ship’s forward hold as it passed Fort Howard. StreamTime LIVE cameras positioned on the harbor captured the blast, showing a burst of fire towering above the vessel against the backdrop of the ruined bridge.
The W Sapphire, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier built in 2012, was fully loaded and bound for Port Louis, Mauritius, according to shipping data. Coast Guard vessels and fireboats quickly escorted the ship to anchorage off Fort Howard, where crews worked to stabilize the situation and prevent further damage.
Officials reported no immediate injuries, and said the fire was contained to the forward cargo section. Investigators are probing the cause of the blast and monitoring for environmental impact.
The incident occurred in the shadow of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed last year after a container ship struck a support pier, killing six workers and disrupting shipping traffic along the East Coast.
A decision on whether the carrier can resume its transoceanic voyage will follow once the vessel is declared secure.
Credit – StreamTime LIVE
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