Port Richey Police Chief Gerard DeCanio told the Associated Press that the shuttle boat experienced engine problems shortly after its departure, then turned back to shore as a fire broke out.
“It looked pretty dramatic because the shuttle boat burned really fast,” DeCanio told the AP.
Video taken by local news stations and witnesses Saturday depicted a harrowing scene as flames and dark smoke billowed from the casino boat and frightened passengers leaped into the water.
Bakr Jandali, a local resident who saw the scene unfold from his neighborhood, called it “terrifying.” A video he posted to YouTube, shot from his home, showed thick plumes of smoke and sudden flames that quickly engulfed the boat. Concerned witnesses on shore can be heard shouting at the passengers, “Get out!”
“They didn’t have much time to decide whether or not to jump,” Jandali told the Tampa Bay Times. “The fire was moving fast. It was a hard jump.”
Jandali told the newspaper that his family and neighbors rushed to bring towels and water to the evacuated passengers, at least one of whom collapsed and vomited upon reaching the shore.
Temperatures in Port Richey on Saturday afternoon were in the mid-40s to low 50s, according to weather reports, with the water temperature undoubtedly chillier.
About 30 evacuated passengers took shelter in the home of nearby resident Larry Santangelo, who told the Tampa Bay Times he sees the boat pass by his home daily.
“It was so windy, and they were soaking wet,” Santangelo told the newspaper. “I just started putting them anywhere I could fit them — my garage, my fishing room. I brought them socks and more towels.”
Sheila McAffee told WTSP 10 News that she and other passengers jumped about eight to 10 feet into the water and that, once they reached shore, nearby residents rushed to help them.
“They were pulling clothes out of their closets to bring out to us to put on to keep warm,” Mcaffee said.
Her husband, Darrell Mcaffee, added: “I think this is the last of our trips on the casino boat.”
Article Appeared @https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/01/15/at-least-1-dead-after-florida-casino-shuttle-boat-consumed-by-flames/?hpid=hp_hp-cards_hp-card-national%3Ahomepage%2Fcard&utm_term=.ee1398486773