Last Updated on 2 weeks by Ashley Michael
A cargo ship exploded Monday evening near the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Harbor, sending a fireball into the sky.
The explosion occurred at 6:28 p.m. aboard the W. Sapphire, a 751-foot Liberian-flagged bulk carrier. The blast happened as the vessel sailed outbound from Baltimore.
StreamTime LIVE cameras captured footage showing flames erupting from the ship’s forward hold. Black smoke plumed from the vessel as it continued on the Patapsco River.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed 23 people and two pilots were aboard the coal-bearing ship. No injuries were reported.
Baltimore City Fire Department fireboats located the vessel, which showed signs of damage from the explosion. The fire was contained to the forward cargo section.
Coast Guard vessels and fireboats escorted the ship to anchorage off Fort Howard. Maryland Department of Emergency Management said no property damage occurred beyond the vessel.
The W. Sapphire was fully loaded and bound for Port Louis, Mauritius, according to shipping data. The vessel is a bulk carrier built in 2012.
Local resident Noah Bennet reported the explosion shook his house. Maritime expert Sal Mercogliano identified the vessel as the MV W Sapphire.
The incident occurred near where the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in March 2024 after being struck by a container ship. That collapse killed six construction workers.
Governor Wes Moore said his office is monitoring the situation. State agencies are responding alongside local and federal authorities.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.