Posted by: Southsider2k12 Sep 19 2017, 09:04 AM
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte/fuel-leak-called-possible-source-of-barge-blast-in-michigan/article_34f6b146-4476-5b49-9bac-f62b7c25786f.html
QUOTE
The impact was powerful enough to bulge much of the vessel’s thick, flat-metal bottom, which caused the barge to lose stability and roll onto its side.
"It wouldn’t take much fuel or fumes to do what it did," Brown said.
Brown said a spark igniting the fuel or vapors could have come from many sources, like metal parts rubbing on the boat or from a battery cable.
Another possible ignition source was a current from an exposed electrical wire.
U.S Coast Guard Petty Officer Jason Lee said the explosion happened just when the barge's electronic devices were turned on for the crew to radio for the Franklin Street drawbridge to open.
The barge was carrying a crane tall enough that it couldn't safely pass underneath the lowered drawbridge.
Booms were set out to contain a small amount of fuel and transmission fluid, Lee said.
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