MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Three yachts caught fire early Friday morning in northwest Miami-Dade, prompting a massive response from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
Sky 10 was above the scene just after 6:15 a.m. as firefighters were working to put out the flames. Heavy smoke could be seen coming from the area.
The fire was reported around 3:30 a.m. in the area off Northwest North River Drive near the Miami Marine Center marina and Jones Boat Yard.
Jose Rojas, who works at Jones Boat Yard, told Local 10 reporter Hannah Yechivi, that he heard a loud explosion, which broke his bedroom window.
He said the yacht that was in the middle, between the other two, was the one that exploded.
Noon report:
“Fire crews immediately conducted a fire attack from both land and water, and utilized foam operations in order to knock down the flames,” MDFR said in an email to Local 10 News.
According to MDFR, two of the yachts are 60 feet long and one is 90 feet long.
While the fire is now under control, firefighters say units remain at the scene to contain fuel runoff from one of the yachts and “minimize the environmental impact of firefighting in the water.”
“MDFR utilizes specialized oil spill response equipment that entails an oil-absorbent boom,” MDFR said in the email. “This strong mesh-like sleeve encases a highly absorbent material that soaks up oil and surface sheen.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No injuries were reported.