2 Rescued From Burning Boat Near Palos Verdes Estates

PALOS VERDES, CA – Two people were rescued from a boat that burst into flames in the water near Palos Verdes Estates Monday morning, according to officials.

Rick Jimenez, 55, told KTLA he had just bought the 36-foot boat for $3,400 in Wilmington and was taking it to the Channel Islands, where he planned to fix it up. He had brought a 75-year-old friend along on the trip, but not long into it he noticed smoke coming from the boat's exhaust pipe, according to the news station.

"I ran and got the fire extinguisher," Jimenez said. "I used it all up, and then it was going inside and it was billowing."

Andrew and Max Zietsman were out on a morning fishing trip when they noticed the burning boat. Although the men were sitting on the back of the boat, they eventually had to jump in the water and the Zietsmans threw life jackets at them before pulling them from the ocean, according to ABC7.

"It was hot. It was really hot," Andre Zietsman told ABC7. "And these poor guys were sitting in the back. We couldn't believe they were still on the boat and not swimming in the water."

The men were treated for minor injuries, and lost their personal belongings in the fire, according to ABC7. The wooden boat, however, sunk as it was being towed back to shore, KTLA reported.

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