JUNEAU, Alaska - The U.S. Coast Guard and Alaska Marine Lines (AML) have contained a fire on board an AML container barge near Yasha Island in Frederick Sound.

The Coast Guard received notification from AML yesterday at approximately 7:04 p.m. of a fire on board the barge Baranof Provider. The barge was being towed from Sitka to Petersburg by the tug Western Mariner when the fire broke out.

Coast Guard Cutter Liberty was dispatched and arrived on scene at approx. 1 a.m. to fight the fire and at approx. 4 a.m. the tug Togiak arrived on scene and relieved Cutter Liberty.

The Coast Guard North Pacific Search and Rescue Coordination Center issued an urgent marine information broadcast then transferred the case to Coast Guard Sector Juneau.

The fire was brough under control at approx. 6 a.m. this morning. .The barge contained mostly empty cargo containers along with some southbound cargo. The cargo involved in the fire is reported to be municipal solid waste.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

AML is currently working with the Coast Guard, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC), and the City and Borough of Juneau to develop a plan to transfer the remaining cargo to another vessel and how best to dispose of the remaining debris.