VIDEO: Fire breaks out on freighter in St. Marys River

A fire broke out tonight on a retired freighter docked on the St. Marys River.

Nearby residents reported a loud noise in the area shortly before 6 p.m., followed by visible flames coming from the Mississagi.

Smoke and fire could be seen from the Michigan side of the river. The cause of the fire is unknown.

The fire is at the Purvis Marine property at the west end of Algoma Steel's property.

According to Boatnerd.com, Mississagi was the longest-operating Canadian flagged laker on the Great Lakes when it went out of service in late 2020.

"The vessel began its career in 1943 when it was launched at Great Lakes Engineering Works in Ecorse, Michigan, as the Hill Annex," Boatnerd says.

Stripped for parts and equipment while docked in Sarnia, Mississagi was towed to the Purvis Marine scrapyard in October 2021.

On Feb. 26, 2015, a fire broke out aboard the Mississagi in Hamilton, where the ship was being repaired. 

Only minor injuries were reported.

That fire was attributed to combustibles being ignited by welding.

SooToday and SooLeader will provide more details on the Sault Ste. Marie incident as they become available.

– with files from SooToday's David Helwig