THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 20, 1995 TAG: 9504200559
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Briefs
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 28 lines
Fire broke out Wednesday aboard a 150-foot former Navy tug boat scheduled to be scrapped when a worker accidentally ignited some of the vessel's insulation with a cutting torch, fire officials said.
The fire began about 11 a.m. aboard the Paris Island on the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River near the Campostella Bridge, Assistant Fire Chief Louis Johnson said. He said it was brought under control in about two hours.
Coast Guard personnel also helped fight the fire.
Three Norfolk firefighters suffered heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation. Two were taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Johnson said. The worker, who was alone on the boat when the fire started, was not injured.
A Coast Guard spokesman said the tug had been sunk and recently was salvaged. It was owned by Coastal Barge and Crane in New Kent County, Johnson said.
KEYWORDS: FIRE by CNB