Firefighters battle tugboat fire after crash

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The New Orleans Fire Department fought a fire on a tugboat after an accident near the Poland Ave. Wharf.

Officials were called around 12:30 p.m. on Monday after reports that several boats were involved in the accident.

One of the tugboats involved was reported to be on fire at the time of the call.

The first NOFD company on scene found the "Uncle Robert" tugboat docked at the Poland Ave. wharf with heavy smoke billowing from the lower decks.

Firefighters boarded the boat to perform interior firefighting however the intense smoke and heat made the attack extremely difficult.

The Port of New Orleans' Fire Boat "Kelly" responded to the scene as well, making it possible for firefighters to make an interior attack to extinguish the fire.

After realizing that there was an on board fire the "Uncle Robert" tugboat attempted to dock and struck another boat, causing it to break loose from its mooring. Crews were able to quickly secure the boat, preventing further damage.

Three workers on the boat were injured.

The fire was extinguished around 2:30 p.m.