
Houston Marine Fire Department boat on scene of a tug boat fire around 2 a.m., Feb. 26, 2016. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Joseph Mccune)
HOUSTON — The Coast Guard Captain of the Port closed the Houston Ship Channel with a safety zone near Interstate 610 from 12:15 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, as their crews and local fire departments responded to a tugboat engulfed in flames, moored at the LyondellBasell refinery, about 2 miles east of Interstate 610, Friday.
LyondellBasell called Vessel Traffic Service Houston-Galveston watchstander
The safety zone was in place until it was clear for traffic to navigate through the area, from 12:15 a.m. until 2 a.m., between Simms Bayou and Light 162.
The tugboat, San Gabriel, was moored next to an empty sulfur barge when it caught fire and the crewmembers were able to evacuate safely.