Fire on Portland blues festival fireworks barge sends crew member to hospital

Fire on Portland blues festival fireworks barge sends crew member to hospital

Crowds watch the fireworks display at the Portland Waterfront Blues festival in 2022.

A fire broke out Thursday night on the barge on the Willamette River that provided the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival fireworks show, injuring a barge crew member.

The blaze started on the barge’s deck while the crew was cleaning up after the 10 p.m. show, Portland Fire & Rescue officials said on Friday.

Barge staff, trained to douse spot fires, jumped into action but ultimately asked for help from Portland Fire’s nearby Fireboat 21, which put the fire out with a blast of water, the Fire Bureau said.

The crew member injured by the fire had to be taken to a hospital. Fire Bureau officials said they did not know the severity of the person’s injuries.

— Tatum Todd covers crime and public safety. Reach them at ttodd@oregonian.com, or 503-221-4313.

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