DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) — An explosive emergency happened in Daytona Beach.
A speed boat burst into flames at a Marina, sending debris into the air, Sunday.
Vincent Kraus said he was heading out to the water at around 1 p.m. and saw the boat explode.
“It didn’t take too long before it was in flames,” said Kraus. “We were on our way to help them to make sure everything was okay, but it was rescue there before.”
Daytona Beach Fire Rescue recorded the fiery blast. The department said the explosion happened after the boat’s operator was fueling up, and that’s when something went wrong when trying to start the engine.
They said it was likely caused by gas vapors that exploded.
According to firefighters, four people on the boat and dock were hurt.
A woman in her 50s was airlifted to the hospital suffering burns.
The other boaters were treated on the scene.
“I could see the bow rail and just part of the back. It was a very large vessel,” said Laurie Brennan, a boater.
Brennan said she saw the boat partially submerged after it caught on fire.
Firefighters showed up quickly to put the blaze out and crews spent hours to pull the boat above water before it was towed away.
“We seen it and were in shock,” Kraus said.
According to firefighters, the owner said the vent blowers were on when the explosion happened. Officials are still investigating what happened.
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