Hazmat Situation Develops After Boat Catches Fire In Sacramento River Beneath I-80 Bridge

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) —  A boat fire in the Sacramento River has turned into a hazmat situation beneath the I-80 bridge late Tuesday afternoon.

The boat, which the Sacramento Fire Department said is privately owned, was docked along the side of the river when it caught fire, putting up heavy smoke in the area. The boat, named the All-American, is likely to sink and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has been made aware, officials said.

The fire department said a hazmat crew was called to the scene as fuel from the boat was leaking into the water.

A CBS13 tower camera captured the scene, which was just below the freeway connecting West Sacramento and Natomas.

The fire department said restrictive access issues have made it difficult to put out the flames, which were active and were throwing up thick smoke for several hours.

No injuries have been reported. It is unclear how the fire started.