Rescuers pull dozens of people out of the water after boat bursts in flames in NYC

The first responders in New York City work to evacuate dozens of people from a boat off the coast on Hart Island in Bronx after it burst in flames.

A spokesman for the New York City Police Department (NYPD) told People that a water rescue is going on near Channel View Road and Soundview Road after a ship caught fire on Saturday, June 7.

Social media from the event obtained by New York Post Shows a large boat with solid pillars with black smoke that flushes it when it flows in the Long Island sound.

The outlet reported that the first respondents included both Police and the New York Fire Department (FDNY) officials.

The Post Reported that the ship caught fire sometime after 8 pm local time.

Chief of Staff of the New York City Council Member Kristy Marmorato’s office told News 12 That 22 people had been rescued from the water so far, although NYPD could not confirm exactly how many have been saved.

It is not directly clear what caused the fire.

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NYPD’s port unit and aviation unit are both on stage, NYPD told People.

“It seems that rescue efforts are ongoing,” the spokesman added.