RISING SUN, Ind. — A boat caught fire Tuesday morning on the Indiana side of the Ohio River.
The first calls of a possible boat fire came in around 8:30 a.m. near Rising Sun in Ohio County. The fire happened near the 499 mile marker on the Ohio River.
The fire was still burning at 1:30 p.m., when officials said they've stopped putting water on the fire out of fear the additional water could cause the boat to sink. The tug boat also carries 35,000 gallons of fuel and officials said they fear the river could be contaminated if too much water is poured on it.
"It runs the risk of sinking, so there is a fire crew coming in from Galveston, Tx. that specializes in this and they're going to take it from here," said Lt. Meghan Keith, with the Dearborn County water rescue team.
The Coast Guard led the fight with the fire, alongside with several local fire departments.
Officials have not said whether anyone was injured in the fire, but employees on the boat did evacuate.
