Tugboats Pull Wayward Barges To Safety; Bridge Reopened

Emergency crews were able to use tugboats to pull three of four barges to safety after they broke free and collided with a railroad bridge near Neville Island on Wednesday.

RAW VIDEO: Barges Strike Bridge; School Evacuates VIDEO: Barges Threaten Interstate 79 Bridge VIDEO: Fleming Park Bridge Closed After Barges Break Free

The barges were spotted hung up on the bridge shortly after 7 a.m. Since then, one barge that was carrying steel coils has sunk into the Ohio River, which caused another barge carrying coal to go down river.

That barge became stuck at the Emsworth Lock and Dam. Crews were worried that if the barge passed over the dam, it could collide with the bridge that carries Interstate 79 over the Ohio River, but that didn't happen and crews were able to pull remove it without incident.

In the meantime, Sto Rox School District officials evacuated students from the middle and elementary schools to the high school building after learning that one of the barges was carrying a flammable gas called benzene. Parents were allowed to start picking their children up at 11 a.m.

VIDEO: 2 Schools Evacuated

“Benzene product is highly flammable. It’s a hazardous substance,” said Allegheny County Emergency Services acting Chief Alvin Henderson. “If the barge (releases) the chemical, it has potential for a considerable-sized fire.”

Police contacted the Environmental Protection Agency and HAZMAT crews to check for any possible spills, but none were reported.

Officials shut down the Fleming Park Bridge that connects Neville Island to Stowe Township while crews worked to bring the barges to safety. The bridge reopened shortly after 7:30 p.m.

Several organizations worked to secure the barges, including the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard.

• Email Newsletter: Get The Latest News Sent To Your Email! • Mobile: Get WPXI Headlines On Your Phone, iPhone, More • RSS: Add Us To Your Page!