The annual tradition of Fourth of July fireworks in Marblehead, Massachusetts, was abruptly extinguished this year due to an overnight barge fire. The ill-fated event, scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. tonight, has been canceled, as reported by NBC Boston. Organizers shared the disappointing news early this morning, stating, "There was a fire on the barge in the middle of the night."
A safety zone that had been in place around the barge since last night, according to the event organizers, could not prevent the conflagration that broke out at 1:30 a.m. at the mouth of Marblehead Harbor. Firefighting units from multiple agencies, including the Marblehead Fire Department, the United States Coast Guard, and the Beverly Fire Department, converged on the scene, tackling the flames that engulfed the barge. Ironically, no injuries have been reported, as affirmed by the Fire Department, and the barge was without its explosive cargo; the fireworks were scheduled to be loaded this morning, as per WCVB.
Investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing with authorities seeking public assistance. The Marblehead Fire Department is specifically asking for any photographs or videos of the barge before or during the fire. "Anyone with footage can send it to [email protected]," a call made by fire officials according to CBS Boston. The State Fire Marshal's Office has halted any firework displays by the town until the cause of the fire has been determined.
Residents expressed their letdown over the cancellation, with local citizen Kim Pandapas initially mistaking the blaze for an adrift boat on fire. "At first I thought it was a boat that was on fire and drifting," Pandapas told WCVB. "I thought maybe someone had shot off some fireworks and had an accident. But it wasn't moving and the fire got bigger." Additionally, Marblehead's fireworks chair Alexander Falk, who had been up since receiving messages about the fire in the early morning, noted the barge had also been used for an event the previous evening in Lynn and Swampscott.
While Marblehead's skies will remain dark this Independence Day, fireworks enthusiasts might have the opportunity to catch neighboring Salem's pyrotechnics display, scheduled for 9:30 p.m. at Derby Wharf. For a list of other July 4th fireworks displays around Massachusetts, revelers can refer to resources provided by CBS Boston.
