On April 22, 2025, about 1750 local time, the towing vessel
William D was pushing two barges near mile 20 of the Victoria Barge Canal, about 15 miles from Port Lavaca, Texas, with six crewmembers on board, when a fire broke out in the towboat’s accommodation spaces. Crewmembers attempted, but were unable, to extinguish the fire. All crewmembers evacuated the towboat to another vessel and were recovered by the US Coast Guard. The Coast Guard, Port Lavaca Fire Department, and two assist tugs responded to the scene, and the fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries, and no pollution was reported. The towing vessel was deemed a constructive total loss estimated at $500,000.
We determined that the probable cause of the fire aboard the towing vessel William D was likely an unknown electrical source in the starboard main deck bunkroom. Contributing to the rapid spread of the fire and the extent of the damage were air introduced through open doors, windows, and other openings, and the substantial use of combustible wood paneling throughout the accommodation spaces.
