A helicopter struck power lines and crashed into a barge on the Mississippi River near mile marker 200 in St. Charles County on Wednesday, killing two people.
The crash happened around 11:10 am CDT, sparking a fire, prompting a hazmat emergency response, officials said.
Alton Fire Department Deputy Chief Matthew Fischer confirmed that the two deceased were occupants of the helicopter. Fischer also confirmed that there were no leaks on the barge at this time and the wreckage remains on the barge.
Photos and video posted to social media showed thick plumes of smoke billowing from the burning barge.
“The helicopter was just working on these powerlines,” said a person filming the incident. “The powerline blew up. There was a pilot, there was a worker.
“It’s exploding right now.”
A massive fireball could be seen as the wreckage exploded in the clip.
The incident triggered a large emergency response, with local EMS, fire, and hazmat crews dispatched to the scene, according to scanner traffic and local reports.
Authorities have blocked off Lock and Dam Way, the road that lines the eastern bank of the Mississippi River in Illinois; however, there is still access to the National Great Rivers Museum.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has also closed the Lewis and Clark Bridge for an undetermined amount of time.
The barge was carrying ethylene glycol, a chemical that’s typically used in antifreeze and coolant. The helicopter crashed into docked barges and two tow boats carrying the chemicals and other flammable material near the Melvin Price Lock and Dam.
There was a small fire, but it was put out within an hour, said fire officials.
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