Cargo Ship Explosion Rocks Baltimore Harbor Near Francis Scott Key Bridge [WATCH]

A cargo ship exploded Monday evening in Baltimore Harbor, sending a large fireball into the air and prompting a major emergency response.

Video shared on social media captured the moment of the explosion, showing flames erupting from the vessel.

The footage was widely circulated, including a clip posted by user @barcodemen from a nearby boat that documented the aftermath of the incident.

Just witnessed an explosion in the Baltimore Harbor south on the former Key Bridge pic.twitter.com/7flRHTm97A

— PeaceForJ (@barcodeman) August 18, 2025

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According to Baltimore City officials, the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD) responded to reports of an explosion aboard a commercial vessel in the Patapsco River near the site of the former Francis Scott Key Bridge. The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m.

Firefighters from both land and water units, including department fireboats, were dispatched to the scene.

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Upon arrival, fireboat crews located the W-Sapphire, a 751-foot bulk carrier, which was showing visible damage consistent with a fire and explosion.

Despite the blast, the vessel remained afloat and was stabilized with the assistance of tugboats, officials confirmed.

🚨#BREAKING: A massive explosion has occurred on a cargo ship near the Key Bridge in Baltimore Harbor

📌#Baltimore | #Maryland

At this time, numerous emergency crews are responding to a cargo ship fire in the Baltimore Harbor on Chesapeake Bay, according to Maryland officials.… pic.twitter.com/sMxVDaeLQJ

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) August 18, 2025

Authorities reported that all 23 crew members aboard the ship were safely accounted for and uninjured.

“The ship’s crew confirmed that all 23 people on board were accounted for and uninjured,” city officials said in a statement.

The Coast Guard, along with other federal and local agencies, launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion.

Fireboats remained on the scene overnight to monitor the ship while plans were made to move it to a designated anchorage area.

Officials said the vessel would remain there until it is cleared by the Coast Guard.

As of Monday night, the cause of the explosion had not been determined, and investigators were working to assess the extent of the damage.

No hazardous material release was immediately reported, though officials indicated that environmental safety teams were standing by as a precaution.

The explosion adds to a string of maritime incidents in the Baltimore region this year.

The location of the blast, near the former Key Bridge site, drew additional attention as crews continue ongoing recovery and cleanup operations in the harbor.

Witnesses described hearing a loud boom that could be felt across parts of the city.

The fireball was visible from several vantage points around the harbor.

Local officials emphasized that while the explosion was dramatic, the quick response ensured that no injuries were sustained and the ship was secured.

The Coast Guard has not yet provided a timeline for when the W-Sapphire will be inspected or released from anchorage.

Investigators are expected to focus on determining whether mechanical failure, human error, or other factors contributed to the explosion.

Baltimore City authorities said updates will be provided as soon as more information becomes available.

For now, the W-Sapphire remains under guard in Baltimore Harbor as federal agencies work to establish what triggered the sudden blast.