No One Injured In Fire Aboard Johnny M Near Kentucky Lock

No one was injured in an engineroom fire January 30 aboard the mv. Johnny M, just south of Kentucky Lock.

The Marshall County (Ky.) Rescue Squad was paged out at 6:52 a.m. along with the East Marshall Volunteer Fire District and South Marshall Fire Department to assist Livingston County authorities with the fire on board the twin-screw, 2,000 hp. towboat, according to a social media post from the Marshall County Rescue Squad.

The boat was on fire on Kentucky Lake, just south of the lock (Tennessee River Mile 22.4).

“These departments alongside Ledbetter Fire and Rescue, Burna Fire Department, Grand Lakes Fire and Rescue, Calloway County Fire-Rescue, the Livingston County Officer of Emergency Management, Area 1 Kentucky Emergency Services Agency, E3 Environmental and the Kentucky Environmental Protection Agency have worked tirelessly to get this under control and make sure that everyone is safe,” the post continued.

The Johnny M., owned by Terral RiverService, was pushing four loaded rock barges downstream when the port engine caught fire, said U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Jaiden Hartley, a spokesman for the Coast Guard’s eighth district.

Hartley confirmed that no injuries had been reported.

“The engineer shut down the engine and secured ventilation,” he said. “The boat moored at the mooring cells above Kentucky Lock, where the fire re-flashed in the engine room. The vessel’s master called 911 and reported the fire.”

Plans called for the Johnny M to be taken to Vulcan Dock in Vulcan Inlet by tow, with a containment boom being placed around it as a precaution.

Kentucky Lock was to be reopened as soon as the transit was complete.

Hartley said the Coast Guard continued to investigate.