Mobile Fire-Rescue Chief Jeremy Lami told reporters at the scene that the fire was hundreds of feet in the air, complicating first responders' efforts.
NEW MEXICO COMMUNITIES BEGIN CLEARING WATER CANALS OF HEAVY DEBRIS FOLLOWING DEVASTATING WILDFIRE
A ‘multi-story, oil rig-like structure’ caught fire along the Mobile River on Wednesday afternoon. (Mobile Fire-Rescue)
"It can be challenging just because of the distance away from some of the hydrants and the fact that we're having to engage in some fire suppression operations that require the use of our aerial devices," Lami said at the scene.
"Any equipment that we're using on top of that platform has to be taken up there with them, so we have to tote all that equipment up to the scene."
There were no initial reports of injuries. The fire appeared to break out in a shipyard on the east side of the Mobile River across from the city's business district.
This is a breaking news story and may be updated.