A fire broke out aboard the U.S. Ready Reserve cargo ship Charles L. Gillard while the vessel was docked in Baltimore Harbor, prompting a large response from the Baltimore City Fire Department.
Emergency crews arrived at approximately 11:00 a.m. after receiving reports of smoke coming from the vessel. Firefighters discovered a fully developed fire in the area of two lifeboats located on the ship’s deck. Due to the intensity of the blaze, a second alarm was requested to bring additional equipment and personnel to the scene.
The fire was successfully brought under control, and no injuries were reported. Authorities have not confirmed whether anyone was aboard the vessel when the incident occurred. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Charles L. Gillard was built in 1972 and later converted into a Large, Medium-Speed Roll-on/Roll-off (LMSR) cargo vessel capable of transporting military vehicles, equipment, and supplies. After being removed from the U.S. Naval Vessel Register in 2023, the ship was transferred to the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) and became part of the Ready Reserve Force. Since 2024, it has been laid up in Baltimore alongside its sister ship Gary I. Gordon.
This is the second significant incident involving Ready Reserve Fleet vessels in Baltimore Harbor within recent months. In December, another reserve cargo ship, Cornelius H. Charlton, broke free from its moorings during a severe windstorm before being secured by emergency responders.
Officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the latest fire, while the vessel remains docked in Baltimore Harbor.
