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Russian Sub Catches Fire in Rhode Island Waters

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Former Tourist Attraction Was Being Salvaged

A FORMER RUSSIAN SUBMARINE, THE JULIETT 484 was accidentally set afire Friday as it was being dismantled for scrap in Providence, Rhode Island.  The craft had been a tourist attraction until a nor'easter storm sank it four years ago.  After being written off as economically unsalvageable, the owners sold it to a scrap company. 

Juliett Foundation website image

The 282-ft.-long boat had been raised and placed on a barge offshore while the scrappers were dismantling the craft when a welder's torch accidentally ignited some oil residue in one of the bilges Friday afternoon.  The fire spread into some insulation and got out of control.

Three fireboats from Providence, East Providence, and Warwick repsonded and were able to eventually snuff the hidden fire.

WPRI-TV Ch. 12 has this video report that includes some fire footage:

 

There is a website that has a lot of information and videos relating to the submarine HERE.

Posted by on March 27, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fires, Videos • Tagged: , , ,
  • Mmorsepfd

    That thing has been nothing but trouble since they planted it half a mile from my station. Great idea, but just jinxed I think. I’ve toured it a number of times, did some inspections. Good to see it go!

  • CaptainBusy

    did you get any picture of the interior of the russian sub? would love to see them if you did. TCSS, CBz

  • Mmorsepfd

    The sub was actually used during the filming of Hunt for Red October, according to the people who ran the tour. I didn’t get any interior pictures, but I’m sure the movie has some shots. It was also used as a gourmet restaurant for a few years.

  • Brendan

    Wrong wrong movie Mike- it was “K98: The Widowmaker.” Russia still owned her when RO was filmed. ;-)

    Every time I passed b when it as a museum, I said to myself “I have to find out what their tour hours are and get in there and have a look.” Did I ever do it? Of course not. Now I kick myself every time I drive by for not doing it.

  • In it together

    I believe the movie was K-19: The Widowmaker