Boat Fire Lights Up Bayfront Park Ahead of Fourth

MIAMI, FL — Days before Bayfront Park lights up with Miami's largest fireworks display, a 50-foot boat burst into flames on Saturday just offshore. Fireboat crews from Miami and Miami-Dade County responded to the scene. No one was on board the vessel at the time of the incident.

"Earlier this afternoon both fire departments responded with their fireboats to extinguish an unmanned 50-foot boat near Bayfront Park," explained Lt. Felipe Lay of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. "Fortunately, there were no injuries and city of Miami was able to safely extinguish the fire with support from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue." (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Miami Patch.)

First responders urged boaters to exercise caution over the long holiday weekend.

Like Miami Patch on Facebook

"Ensure all equipment is working properly and vests are sufficient for all passengers," said Lay. "Hydrate sufficiently, use sunblock and have a first aid kit on hand."

Watch as first responders respond to the boat fire new Bayfront Park:

Video and image courtesy of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue