Coast Guard crews respond to a dredge on fire in the Port of Corpus Christi Ship Channel Friday morning. - Photo Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard

Coast Guard crews respond to a dredge on fire in the Port of Corpus Christi Ship Channel Friday morning.

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard

A natural gas pipeline fire Friday morning at the Port of Corpus Christi in Texas sent six people to the hospital, authorities report.

In a statement posted to its Facebook account, the Port of Corpus Christi management states that the pipeline ignited at about 8 a.m.

“The operators have isolated the line and are working with emergency responders and stakeholders to contain the incident and ensure area safety,” the post states.

Reports from multiple source state that a barge in the water hit the pipeline, causing the fire. The U.S. Coast Guard identified the dredging vessel Waymon L. Boyd as being involving the fire, providing photographs of the burning vessel.

A Sector Air Station Corpus Christi MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew hoisted aboard two injured crew members, transferring them to the Corpus Christi Medical Center – Bay Area. The search continues for four other missing crew members.

“The U.S. Coast Guard issued a safety zone in the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Inner Harbor from the Inner Harbor Bridge (U.S. Highway 181) to the Viola Turning Basin,” the port Facebook account states. “No vessel may enter the safety zone without permission from the U.S. Coast Guard.”

The fire represents no threat to public safety, the Facebook post states.Corpu

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