Pandemonium in Florida as casino boat carrying 50 people bursts into FLAMES.

in accident •  7 years ago 

AT LEAST 15 people are injured after a Florida casino boat carrying 50 people burst into flames in Tampa Bay as emergency teams responded to the incident in US waters of the Gulf of Mexico, according to news reports.

An investigation showed the fire broke out at about 4.17 pm EST from an apparent engine issue, said division chief with Pasco Fire Rescue Shawn Whited.

He added: “The captain of the boat said there was an issue with the engine. He said he noticed smoke coming from the engine room and turned the boat around.”

The 60-foot shuttle boat was on its way to the Sun Cruz Casino boat, a little more than three miles away in international waters near Port Richey, about 30 miles north of downtown Tampa, according to Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

After seeing the smoke, the captain prompted the 50 people aboard the boat to abandon ship and swim to shore.

Officer Whited said some of the injuries were from being in cold water and from smoke inhalation.

A video posted on Twitter shows the boat engulfed in flames.

According to Officer Whited, an official investigation will start soon.

Several agencies responded to the incident including the US Coast Guard, the City of Port Richey Fire Department and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

All passengers and crew members have been accounted for.

Fifteen people were taken to hospital as a precaution and officials are unaware of serious injuries, according to reports.

Temperatures in the afternoon fell to 43 degrees Fahrenheit (6.1 Celsius) and the temperature of the water was 59 F (15 C) which is low enough to cause hypothermia.

The fire department said because the water was not deep, rescue workers were able to get to the victims much quicker.

Some passenger were able to swim to shore safely.

The tropical Breeze Casino Cruise is offshore because it cannot operate legally close to land.

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