Barge ablaze after Waterfront Blues Festival fireworks show, 1 hospitalized

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Following the dazzling fireworks display at the Waterfront Blues Festival, a fire broke out on the deck of the barge sending one person to the hospital, authorities said.

According to Portland Fire & Rescue, during the post-show clean-up and safety check, the fire started on the deck.

Fireboats were already on the water and quick to respond, blasting the fire with large turrets and putting out the blaze in 10 seconds, authorities said.

Spot fires are common on the barges during the fireworks show officials told KOIN 6 News, however during Thursday's show, they said they were having trouble getting them all out in a quick manner.

Officials also said that the crews on the barge are trained and dressed to deal with the fires and in most cases they can handle any small fires themselves.

During the response, however, officials said a member of the barge crew was burned and they were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Their condition is currently unknown.

Information about the fire is still limited and the cause is unknown.