Pipeline Fire Follows Impact by Tugboat, Barge
The blaze erupted after the vessels hit the pipeline in a Louisiana bayou.
A tugboat in a New Orleans bayou caught fire Tuesday night, injuring two people and burning for hours. While pushing an oil barge, the tugboat struck a gas pipeline.
The impact occurred about 30 miles south of New Orleans. The pipeline the tugboat struck is owned by Chevron. Since the impact and subsequent fire, the pipeline has been isolated. Only the oil in the pipeline at the time of the impact will burn, eventually burning out.