A chaotic scene erupted early Tuesday morning at a Miami marina when two boats went up in flames, sending dark, towering clouds of smoke into the city skyline.
At approximately 7:28 a.m., the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue received a barrage of 911 calls reporting a vessel fire at 3 Grove Isle Drive. Upon arrival, crews encountered a troubling sight: “two cruising vessels fully engulfed in flames at the dock, posing a threat to nearby boats.”
Aggressive Response at the Dock
Firefighters, including specialized teams from the Miami Fireboat and Miami Hazardous Materials Team, launched an intense suppression effort. The fire had already consumed the two boats, each measuring between 30 and 40 feet, and was threatening to spread further.
Working swiftly to prevent escalation, responders launched what officials described as an “aggressive attack”. Within minutes, they were able to contain the inferno, narrowly avoiding a much larger disaster.
Nearby Vessels Scorched by Heat
Although the fire was primarily restricted to the two burning vessels, nearby boats didn’t escape entirely unscathed. Two additional boats ranging in size from 26 to 36 feet, suffered “radiant heat damage to their exterior sides,” officials reported. Thankfully, their interiors remained untouched by the flames.
The fire was brought under control in just 10 minutes, a testament to the rapid and coordinated emergency response.
No Injuries Reported
In a bit of relief, no injuries were reported in the incident. No one was on board the burning boats at the time of the fire, authorities confirmed.
Investigation Underway
The Miami Fire Investigation Unit is currently examining the cause of the fire. The United States Coast Guard has also been looped in as part of the ongoing investigation, given the potential for environmental and maritime concerns.
