A boat explosion at Lauderdale Marina last night claimed one life and left several others injured, according to authorities. The incident occurred just before 6 p.m. at the marina located at 1900 SE 15th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The explosion was triggered when the engines of the 37-foot vessel were started, igniting fuel and causing flames to spread rapidly to nearby boats.
Sadly, Sebastien Gauthier, 41, from Quebec, died from his injuries after being among the seven people on board. Six others were immediately taken to local hospitals for treatment, with three suffering traumatic injuries.
Deputy Fire Chief Garret Pingol of Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue described the chaos following the explosion, stating, “A boat explodes. There’s a boat on fire and there were people on the water.” Multiple 911 calls reporting the emergency drew quickly responding fire crews and rescue squads to the scene, which witness accounts likened to scenes from disaster movies.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud “boom” just before the fire erupted. One nearby observer said, “It was like a boom, kind of, and I turned around and the whole dock was already on fire.” The sound of the explosion could be heard blocks away, prompting civilians and businesses around the marina to react swiftly, with some rushing to help.
Maria Sans, who was enjoying time on a boat with her family, described the frantic moments as smoke engulfed the area. “I was screaming, screaming, and then they told us we have to get out right away,” she recalled. "I thought it was like, a firecracker, but when I turned, it was a boat... We saw a lot of smoke." Witnesses who were not directly involved also relayed incredible stories of bravery and quick thinking.
At least two other boats docked nearby caught fire as well, complicifying the response efforts. According to Tamer Dimiati, a waiter at the 15th Street Fisheries, “I ran out there to try to see if anybody needed help. One guy was on fire, and another person was in the water; I mean, it was like chaos.” Dimiati’s dedication to helping others amid the crisis highlighted the urgency felt by many on the scene.
Rescue workers managed to extinguish the flames but not before the incident instigated panic among those present. Emergency responders, including multiple fire and rescue agencies, coordinated their efforts to address the immediate dangers and to search for any individuals who might have been missing.
After the initial chaos subsided, authorities found Gauthier’s body after conducting an extensive search of the water, which took several hours. “Divers searched the water for multiple potential areas where the person might be missing,” Pingol explained.
The scene was described as harrowing by eyewitnesses who detailed the moments after the explosion. Eyewitness accounts stated the flames and thick smoke alleviated slowly, but not before anguish settled upon the community. The marina had recently endured similar incident earlier this month. Investigators are currently probing the cause of last night’s tragedy, focusing attention on the fuel pumps at the marina, though reports are still preliminary.
Officials stated it was still too early to determine the definitive cause of the explosion. Once the vessels involved are removed and assessed, conclusions could be drawn about preventing future occurrences.
Eyewitness Maria Sanz recounted her experience, noting, “I saw another victim.... I tried to throw him a rope, according to the outlet.” The chaos of rescuing those trapped intensified as flames spread closer to her family’s boat. She described how everyone battled both fear and the danger surrounding them, illustrating the bravery displayed during such chaotic moments.
Government officials and local leaders have expressed their condolences and support to all those impacted by this tragedy. Investigators are calling for anyone with information to come forward as they seek to clarify the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
The Fort Lauderdale community now faces the aftermath of the tragedy, grappling with the shocking event and reflecting on the importance of safety protocols at marinas. Local authorities are committed to ensuring such devastating occurrences do not happen again, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and safety training within the boating community.
