Boca Raton Fire Rescue responded to this boat fire in the Hillsboro Canal west of Dixie Highway near Southwest 22nd Street shortly after 11 p.m. on Aug. 3. No one was aboard any of the three boats. Photo provided by Boca Raton Fire Rescue
By Rich Pollack
An unattended barbecue grill may have been responsible for a boat fire on the Hillsboro Canal at the south end of Boca Raton that resulted in two vessels being destroyed and a third suffering significant damage, city fire-rescue officials said.
The fire, which occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Aug. 3, came at the end of a busy day on the water for Boca Raton Fire Rescue. Earlier in the day, firefighters and paramedics pulled three people from the Intracoastal Waterway after the boat they were in overturned.
While Boca Raton Fire Rescue has a fully equipped fire boat, that vessel was unable to respond to the Hillsboro Canal fire due to access issues and as a result, firefighters battled the blaze from the shore, west of Dixie Highway near Southwest 22nd Street.
Six units were dispatched to attack the fire and firefighters utilized a master stream device — a high-volume system used to deliver a significant amount of water over a long distance — to suppress the boat fires.
No one was on board any of the boats and the fire was contained in less than 30 minutes. Further investigation of the fire was turned over to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office Fire Department, which also responded.
Earlier in the day, Boca Raton Fire Rescue used the fire boat to pull three people out of the water in the 1200 block of the Intracoastal Waterway. Fire Rescue Lt. Karl Richards said five people were on the boat when it capsized in rough water but only three were in the water when firefighters arrived. One person suffered minor injuries and was taken to Boca Raton Regional Hospital.
Boca Raton Fire Rescue recommends these boating safety tips:
Wear a life jacket: 80% of drowning victims weren’t wearing one.
Boat sober: Alcohol is the leading contributor to fatal boating accidents.
Make a checklist: Inspect fuel systems and electrical wiring regularly.
Have a fire plan: Know where to find extinguishers and exits (for larger vessels).
Take a boating safety course: Certified knowledge can make all the difference.
Communicate a float plan: Let people know where you’re going, how many people are onboard, what you will do in case of an incident, and when you’ll return.
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