A Put-in-Bay boat fire at the fuel dock by The Boardwalk around 2 p.m. Saturday injured one person and destroyed two boats, according to the Put-in-Bay Fire Department.
Witnesses said the vessel had just finished fueling when it exploded at the dock. Lines were cut to prevent another blast, and the burning boat drifted directly into a second vessel secured to a mooring buoy, setting it on fire.
The owner of the first boat jumped into the water and was rescued. Life Flight transported him off the island for treatment. No other injuries have been reported in connection with the Put-in-Bay boat fire.
Jet skis raced in to splash water on the flames before the Miller Ferry arrived and sprayed water from its onboard equipment. Crews from the Put-in-Bay Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, and EMS worked quickly to bring the fire under control. During the response, the Harbor Taxi ferried boat owners so they could move their vessels out of the fire’s path.
Around 4:30 p.m., the original boat reignited near Gibraltar Island. Fire crews quickly extinguished the flames before they could spread further. The cause of the initial explosion remains under investigation.
The Put-in-Bay boat fire sent thick smoke across the harbor, drawing crowds of visitors and residents. Multiple agencies praised the fast actions of boaters, jet ski operators, and ferry crews for helping contain the fire and prevent additional damage.
No damage estimate has been released, but officials confirmed both boats are considered total losses.
