A massive fire destroyed three yachts early Friday on the Miami River, with investigators now treating the blaze as an act of arson.
The fire, which broke out around 3:30 a.m. in northwest Miami-Dade, prompted a significant emergency response as more than 30 units from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue fought the flames. Two 60-foot yachts and a 90-foot vessel were consumed by the fire, which caused loud explosions that were heard by witnesses, including those staying at a nearby hotel.
One of the yachts sank, while another was nearly fully submerged, and the third yacht was left severely damaged. Firefighters battled flare-ups both by land and water, spraying foam on the vessels to extinguish the flames. There were no reported injuries, but the devastation was significant, and boat owners expressed shock and distress upon learning of the destruction.
Arson investigators from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and Fire Rescue are working to determine who may have set the fire and how it was carried out. Some boat owners suspect the fire was intentional, although no specific suspects have been identified. The fire released fuel into the water, prompting authorities to deploy an oil boom to contain the spill and minimize environmental damage. By 6:30 a.m., the flames were under control, but crews remained on the scene to handle the aftermath.
