An explosion followed by a fire at a marina in Dania Beach, Florida, resulted in a tragic outcome on Friday afternoon, when one man lost his life and four others sustained serious injuries.
The incident occurred at Nautical Ventures Marina & Service Center, near Interstate 95 and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, according to authorities.
The incident, which occurred around 4:35 p.m., involved a 50-foot boat that had just arrived for a boat show. According to Local 10, an explosion took place during the refueling process, igniting a large fire.
Witnesses at the scene described the impact of the explosion. Amanda Locascio, an employee of a nearby restaurant, stated that the blast was so strong that it "shook the entire restaurant," and she added that it was felt in her chest as well.
The head of the Broward County Sheriff's Fire Battalion, Michael Kane, stated that the explosion occurred due to an ignition source during the refueling process. Firefighters acted quickly to control the flames, but the damage was already significant.
Aerial images captured by local media showed firefighters trying to extinguish the fire while the boat remained on a trailer. Emergency services transported critically injured individuals to a nearby hospital, and one deceased victim was covered with a tarp at the scene.
For the moment, authorities have not revealed the identities of the victims and are continuing to investigate the exact causes of the incident. The State Fire Marshal's Office is leading the investigation into this tragic event.
In recent months, several yacht fires have been reported in Florida, highlighting the dangers associated with these vessels.
In April 2024, a state-of-the-art yacht caught fire at a shipyard in Miami, causing significant losses.
In October 2023, another yacht caught fire at a marina in Miami, with no victims but significant material damage. In July of the same year, a fire on a yacht in the Florida Keys resulted in a woman's disappearance.
In addition, in February, a fire consumed a yacht in a marina in Miami, leaving the vessel unrecognizable, although there were no injuries.
Each of these events has raised concerns about the safety of the operation and maintenance of these luxurious vessels, as most incidents occurred during fueling or maintenance activities.
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