Good Samaritan, Coast Guard rescue 2 men, dog aboard boat fire

Men on boat say fire ignited in engine room, quickly spread

MIAMI – The U.S. Coast Guard worked with a good Samaritan to help rescue two men and a dog that were aboard a boat that was on fire.

Crew members with Coast Guard Station Key West and the Coast Guard Cutter Nantucket responded Thursday evening to a vessel fire southwest of Marquesas Key, Fla.

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Authorities said watch-standers at Coast Guard Sector Key West received a report from a good Samaritan of two men and a dog aboard a boat engulfed in flames 8 nautical miles southwest of Marquesas Key.

Both men and the dog aboard the boat evacuated onto a dinghy to escape the fire and were rescued by the good Samaritan.

Coast Guard officials said watch-standers at Sector Key West issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast, and diverted the Nantucket and a boat crew with Station Key West to respond.

Upon arriving on scene, officials said the crew aboard the Nantucket safely embarked the survivors who were later transported to awaiting emergency medical services at Sector Key West by a small boat crew with Station Key West.

The men aboard the board said the fire ignited in the engine room and quickly spread throughout the boat before it sunk, according to the Coast Guard.

Officials said there were no reports of any injuries.