SCITUATE, MASS. (WHDH) - Five people were rescued from Scituate Harbor after they jumped from a burning boat on Tuesday, officials said.
The individuals were picked up by passing boater and taken to safety, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Video tweeted by the Coast Guard shows a thick plume of black smoke billowing into the air and flames shooting from the boat.
Scituate Fire Chief John Murphy says a Scituate couple and their three children were fueling up just before 4 p.m. when the engine ignited and the boat caught fire.
“I heard they jumped into the water,” he said. “I heard the father threw his two sons in the water. Got them in the water. There was fire everywhere.”
Once the family was off the boat, it started to drift away, and that’s when the assistant harbormaster got a hold of the boat and brought it back to a mooring, all while it was on fire.
“Very bold move, but it saved a lot of damage,” Murphy said of the decision. “We were able to fight the fire in the marina much safer without an explosion opportunity right there.”
Thirteen people were taken to the hospital.
That includes the family of five along with harbormaster employees and other emergency responders.
“Everybody should be fine,” Murphy said. “I just heard from the hospital. Everyone is getting released. That’s good news that no one was seriously hurt.”
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