A small engine-room fire damaged the Gateway Clipper towboat Empress II while the vessel was docked along the Monongahela River in Pittsburgh on March 10.
According to local reports, firefighters were dispatched to the Gateway Clipper dock at Station Square shortly after 5:20 p.m. after smoke was reported coming from the vessel. Allegheny County dispatchers said crews were called to West Station Square Drive at approximately 5:22 p.m.
Pittsburgh Public Safety officials told WTAE that the fire was confined to the engine room and the compartment above it. The towboat had just returned from operations on the Monongahela River when the fire was discovered.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire within about 15 to 30 minutes, according to reporting by WTAE. Video from the scene showed light smoke coming from the vessel’s upper level while responders sprayed water onto the vessel from the dock.
Aerial footage showed first responders working aboard the vessel at the Station Square landing while firefighters assessed damage and ventilated the boat.
Gateway Clipper, which operates sightseeing and event vessels on Pittsburgh’s rivers, confirmed the incident in a statement and reported that no injuries occurred.
“Today a small fire occurred on our Empress II tow boat. Our crew responded immediately, and first responders were on scene within minutes. No one was injured, and the situation was quickly contained,” the company said.
The company also credited its crew and local responders for their handling of the incident.
“We are incredibly grateful for the swift action of our crew members, who train regularly for these types of situations,” Gateway Clipper said in its statement. “Additionally, we praise the professionalism of our local fire, emergency, and regulatory teams. The safety of our crew, passengers, and community is always our top priority.”
Authorities have not released a cause of the fire, and the extent of the damage to the vessel has not been reported.
