Baltimore Port Explosion: Fire Damages W-Sapphire Near Key Bridge Collapse Site (2025 Update)

Baltimore Port Explosion: Fire Damages Bulk Carrier W-Sapphire Near Key Bridge Collapse Site

Baltimore, MD — August 18, 2025 — A fire and explosion rocked the Port of Baltimore on Monday evening, damaging a bulk carrier vessel near the site of last year’s catastrophic Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

According to Baltimore City Fire Department spokesperson John Marsh, emergency crews responded around 6:30 p.m. to reports of an explosion aboard a commercial ship in the Patapsco River, near the site where the Key Bridge once stood.

Upon arrival, a fireboat team discovered the 751-foot W-Sapphire, a bulk carrier, showing extensive damage consistent with both fire and an explosion. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.

All 23 crew members on board were accounted for and unharmed, Marsh confirmed. The W-Sapphire remained afloat and was stabilized with the help of tugboats. The vessel will be moved to a designated anchorage area and held there pending inspection by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Built in 2012, the W-Sapphire sails under the Liberian flag and was en route to Port Louis, Mauritius. According to tracking data from VesselFinder.com, the ship was expected to arrive at its destination by September 23.

Incident Site Near 2024 Key Bridge Collapse

The explosion occurred near the location of the March 26, 2024, disaster, where the 947-foot cargo ship Dali suffered a power failure and crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The impact caused a full collapse of the structure and claimed the lives of six construction workers.

The Key Bridge, opened in 1977, was a critical artery for both commuter and commercial traffic, forming part of Baltimore’s Beltway system. In 2023, more than 12.4 million vehicles crossed the bridge, according to state data.

The 2024 incident marked the deadliest bridge collapse in the United States in over a decade.

Authorities Continue Investigation

As of Monday evening, the exact cause of the fire and explosion aboard the W-Sapphire remains unknown. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the source of the blast and assess potential safety risks in the region’s already-sensitive maritime zone.

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