Bronx City Island fueling dock catches fire, 1 injured, boat sinks after being engulfed in flames

BRONX CITY ISLAND (WABC) — One person was injured when a boat caught fire on City Island just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday

The small motorboat sank in Long Island Sound shortly after firefighters got the blaze under control. The fire caught fire when the ship had just left the refueling dock at 673 Island Avenue in the Bronx.

Witnesses said the owner had just stopped to refuel and was standing on the pier as the attendant began filling the tank.

“As soon as they started refueling there was an explosion,” neighbor Tommy Goldberg said.

One person was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Smoke billowing from the motorboat could be seen for miles.

“I was on the jet ski and I heard the boom,” said witness Luis Cash. “It was crazy.”

NewsCopter 7 was flying over the scene as firefighters extinguished the blaze.

The fire was brought under control an hour after the fire alarm was received. Firefighters worked to prevent the fire from spreading to the gas station and surrounding buildings.

60 firefighters from 12 units were dispatched to control the blaze. They determined the ship caught fire after hitting a pole.

Fire crews surveyed the wharf and the wreckage of the charred pump on Tuesday night.

The Army Corps of Engineers will lift the boat out so firefighters can examine the wreckage, but investigators believe the fire was likely caused by an accident.

All traffic on the Jojima Bridge is temporarily blocked. The fire only partially damaged the pier and did not cause damage to the bridge.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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