An explosion and fire onboard a boat off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts, landed two people in the hospital on Monday morning, according to local fire officials.
The boat fire happened shortly before 9 a.m. near the Blynman Bridge, according to the Gloucester Fire Department. The Blynman Bridge is at the intersection of Western Avenue and Perkins Road, right where the Annisquam River meets Gloucester Harbor. It was closed briefly during the response but has since reopened.
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Two people were apparently traveling in what appeared to be a small recreational fishing boat down the river, when, for some reason, their engine exploded. The boat became fully engulfed in flames afterwards.
The two people jumped off the boat and made it to shore. They were taken to area hospitals and are expected to survive. A dog that was on board was picked up by another boater and was also believed to be OK.
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"It sounds like minor injuries, they went to Beverly Hospital," Gloucester Fire Department Deputy Chief Phillip Harvey said. "It seemed like injuries associated with vacating the vessel rather than burns or smoke inhalation."
The boat was eventually towed back to shore by the harbormaster, where firefighters were able to extinguish the flames.
Aerial images of the area showed a white boat with significant damage that was sinking underwater.
Harborside units, the Coast Guard and the local fire department worked throughout the morning investigating the incident. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Fire officials said the boat is a total loss.
