Five people were injured and one person was found dead after a boat explosion at the Lauderdale Marina, officials said.
It happened on December 23rd around 6 p.m. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue (FLFR) received multiple emergency calls about an explosion and a burning ship.
Crews discovered a significant fire on one boat before it quickly spread to another.
Five people were taken to hospitals, three of whom suffered from “traumatic injuries,” FLFR said.
Firefighters shared photos and videos from the scene of an accident Monday evening at the Lauderdale Marina. (@FLFR411/X)
FLFR dive teams cooperated Broward Sheriff’s Office to find a sixth victim in the water.
“It was kind of like a bang and I turned around and the whole dock was already on fire,” said a witness local television station WSVN. “It was on fire.”
Firefighters are seen extinguishing the fire at the Lauderdale Marina sign on December 23, 2024. (@FLFR411/X)
“I screamed, screamed, and then they told us we had to get out immediately. I tried to concentrate to see where my family was,” Maria Sans told the media outlet.
A local waiter He told the TV station that he was taking an order when the explosion happened.
“All I saw was the boat just exploded and the top of the boat went up, then came back down and the boat burst into flames. I ran there to see if anyone needed help… I mean, it was like chaos,” Tamer Dimiati said.
According to WSVN, the dock where the explosion occurred is a gas station. A similar explosion and fire occurred on Weeks before in the same place.
One person died and five others were injured after a boat exploded at Lauderdale Marina on December 23, 2024. (EarthCam via @FLFR411/X)
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FLFR cites patient privacy concerns because the people involved have not been identified. The department said the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is the lead investigative agency investigating the cause of the explosion Subsequent fires.
“Once the vessels are removed from the water and can be examined more closely by investigators, we will have a better idea,” FLFR said in a statement.
