Casino shuttle boat engulfed by flames, dozens safely escape
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Fire swiftly engulfed a shuttle boat Sunday afternoon used to ferry patrons to a casino ship off Florida's Gulf Coast, forcing the crew and dozens of passengers to jump into chilly waters close to shore, authorities said.
Fifteen people complaining of chest pain, smoke inhalation and other minor injuries were taken to the hospital to be checked, authorities said, adding no injuries were life-threatening after the huge fire consumed the boat just offshore from a residential neighborhood.
Port Richey Chief of Police Gerard DeCanio said all 50 passengers and the crew reached safety as the fast-spreading flames consumed the shuttle boat about 100 yards (meters) from the shoreline. The fire sent a huge plume of dark black smoke wafting over sunny skies on an unusually chilly winter day in the Tampa Bay region.
"It looked pretty dramatic because the shuttle boat burned really fast," DeCanio told The Associated Press by phone.
DeCanio said the shuttle boat was close to shore when it experienced engine problems after leaving the dock at Port Richey, a suburban community about 35 miles (55 kilometers) northwest of Tampa. He said the crew decided to turn back veering close to a residential area as smoke belched and flames then kicked up.
A witness told the Tampa Bay Times the shuttle boat passes regularly passes by his family's home, carrying patrons to and from a casino ship offshore. But this time, he said he saw the clouds smoke billowing from the shuttle vessel and then heard shouts and screams.
"They didn't have much time to decide whether or not to jump," said Bakr Jandali, 19, who was with his family at home nearby. "The fire was moving fast. It was a hard jump."
Jandali said passengers had to jump about 12 feet (3 meters) into chilly and somewhat shallow water. He said those escaping had to wade through waist-deep water before reaching land. Local residents then offered them towels, socks and water to drink.
"All of us, my family and the neighbors, brought them towels and water," Jandali said. "They were so cold."
The shuttle boat regularly carries people back and forth from the Tropical Breeze Casino Cruise, which is offshore because it can't legally operate close to land, according to authorities. They said the shuttle vessel was headed out to the casino ship at the time of the fire.
Tropical Breeze Casino Cruises didn't immediately respond late Sunday to calls for information.
Pasco County Fire Rescue official Shawn Whited said many passengers who jumped into the water made their way to shore, while some were rescued by boats.
News footage at the site showed survivors cloaked in blankets trying to warm themselves after getting to shore.
Larry Santangelo, 57, said he had just driven into his neighborhood Sunday afternoon when he saw smoke and fire.
He told the Tampa Bay Times that he then saw people wandering about confused, wet and cold. One woman collapsed on reaching shore and vomited, he said, adding he took about 30 of the passengers into his garage to warm up and recover.
"It was so windy and they were soaking wet," said Santangelo, adding he worried some might suffer from hypothermia.
It wasn't immediately clear what caused the fire.
Authorities said the Coast Guard, sheriff's office, police and other agencies took part in rescue operations.