A fire on a barge in Crockett sent flames and plumes of smoke into the air this evening.
The fire was first reported shortly before 7 p.m., when a barge near the Crockett Marina at 501 Port St. became engulfed in flames, according to Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department Capt. Doug Botta.
The first arriving engine company found flames shooting 10-15 feet into the air and plumes of smoke. Firefighters were not able to get on the barge, but were able to get water on to it from a neighboring barge, and from a Contra Costa County Fire Protection District fire boat.
The fire was contained within about half an hour, with no injuries, but the barge itself was a complete loss, Botta said.
Fire investigators learned that two marina employees had been grinding a metal object on the barge, and their work had sent sparks into an unused bait shop building on the barge. The employees were unable to put the fire out themselves.