Dominica: Man sustains injury after his boat catches fire in sea

A young man in Dominica sustained several injuries after his boat caught fire in the middle of the sea. The incident took place on Thursday in the Newtown area.

While confirming the incident, the Deputy Fire Chief, Wayne Letang, said that one person is presently getting treatment for his injuries at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital. He said that the man escaped the boat fire at sea in the Newtown area.

According to the information, the fire officers in Dominica responded to a call at around 12:45 pm. Letang said that after the officers responded to the emergency call they found out that it was an open keelboat which measured around 29 feet.

He also added that the boat belonged to a man of Bath Estate but was being operated by another young man at the time of the fire incident.

Letang further disclosed that the young man reported that he was refueling the boat and took it out to check following which he took a smell of fuel and suddenly there was an explosion which threw him off the boat and he sustained some burn injuries.

He added that the young man who was captaining the boat at that time is currently at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital and is getting treated with burn injuries. Letang also confirmed that the boat engines were completely destroyed by the sudden fire.

Meanwhile, the officials also appreciated the team who took swift action and saved the young individual from this incident. They said that the team is committed and dedicated to responding to such events at the earliest so that no serious injury is caused.

In addition to this, Deputy Letang also urged the individuals to check their vessels before departing for a journey into the sea and refuel them ahead of setting the sail into the waters.