DANIA BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Workers at a Dania Beach marina provided further details about a man who, fire officials said, was killed when a boat that had just been delivered suddenly burst into flames.
Tragedy struck in an instant when, investigators said, the 50-foot vessel exploded at Nautical Ventures Marina & Service Center, located along the 4400 block of Ravenswood Road, just west of Interstate 95 and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, at around 4:30 p.m. on Friday.
Cellphone video on Sunday captured the charred remains of the boat that went up in flames.
“The vessel is still here, and you can smell as though it’s a fresh fire still,” said boater Sharla Manglitz.
Ring surveillance video shows the thick black smoke that billowed into the air in the middle of rush hour on Friday.
Cellphone video shared by a witness shows the flames ripping through the vessel.
“We just heard a loud explosion,” said Cynde Tang, who works nearby, at Island Joe’s Cafe.
“The windows were shaking,” said Danielle Schmergel, who also works nearby, at the Rustic Inn Crabhouse. “We were outside and we heard the explosion and it even hurt my ears. That’s how loud it was. And it shook all of our windows, we thought the windows were gonna break.”
“It was pretty intense. It was honestly the loudest thing that I’ve ever heard,” said another woman.
Several people told 7News the deadly blast killed a man who had worked at the marina for years.
7News spoke to a Nautical Ventures employee who did not want to be identified. He said the man who died was Benjamin Berestovoy, a technician who loved boating.
The employee added that Benjamin was from Paraguay. Many said he was a hard worker.
Workers from the marina said Benjamin was refueling the new 50-foot boat, getting it ready for an upcoming boat show, when the explosion happened.
Investigators said four other men were injured in the blast. One man was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital to be treated.
As of Monday afternoon, no word on the four men’s condition.
Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Michael Kane spoke with 7News Friday evening.
“It appears that during the refueling process to ready the boat, there was an ignition source which caused an explosion,” he said.
The vessel was on a trailer when it ignited, and officials said it was supposed to be presented in an upcoming boat show.
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies still surrounded the marina on Sunday.
“They’re securing the scene to make sure that everything stays at it should, nobody is going in there and touching anything,” said Debbie, another boater.
On Friday, dozens of firefighters rushed to extinguish the flames, and paramedics raced to save those hurt.
The four men who survived the blast, all of them employees at the marina, were taken to area hospitals, where they remain in critical condition.
“A tragedy for the families of those involved,” said Debbie.
Benjamin’s family said he was a father of three, a husband and a hard worker who made every day brighter for those who knew him.
The family created a GoFundMe account, where it said he will be remembered for, “his integrity, his generosity, and his unwavering commitment to both his family and his work. He approached life with genuine kindness and a helping hand always extended to others.”
The funds from the GoFundMe will be used for funeral costs and to support his family. If you would like to donate, click here.
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