4 hospitalized in boat explosion near Pelican Harbor Marina in Miami, authorities say

Four people were taken to the hospital after a boat went up in flames Sunday morning near Pelican Harbor Marina, according to authorities.

At around 11 a.m., a 35-foot boat with six people aboard caught fire somewhere around the marina at 1275 NE 79th St., west of North Bay Village on Biscayne Bay, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Ryan Estrada told the Miami Herald. Four were taken to Jackson Memorial’s Ryder Trauma Center, he said.

”There were four patients total transported, two of which suffered traumatic injuries possibly related to burns,” said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokeswoman Andrea Rudchenco. “The other two were ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) patients, who required advanced life support medical care prior to being transported to a local hospital.”

Before the Coast Guard arrived, a fire boat had already extinguished the blaze and taken its occupants to safety, Estrada added. From there, the Coast Guard towed the charred boat to the marina.

“It is reported that the vessel had a fuel leak, which lead to the fire,” Estrada said.