Barge fire prompts state of emergency

Gov. John Carney issued a limited state of emergency in Kent County May 24 due to the barge fire occurring in the Delaware Bay.

The governor requested additional resources to support local emergency management agencies – including the Bowers Fire Company and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control – through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact to continue combating the fire.

“Emergency response crews have been actively fighting the barge fire for more than 24 hours,”  Carney said. “This local state of emergency will help support their efforts to continue to fight the burn and assess the possible impact on the environment, the bay and wildlife. Thank you to all the first responders keeping our community and our environment safe.”

The state of emergency took effect at 2:30 p.m. and will remain in effect until terminated.