The FDNY said their emergency unit rescued 22 people from a boat that caught fire on Saturday, June 7, in the vicinity of 262 Fordham Street / Hart Island Ferry Terminal. Meanwhile, police said a Bedford Park man has been arrested and with a DUI offense in connection with the incident.

 

An FDNY spokesperson said the department received a 911 call at 7.59 p.m. on Saturday for a report of a boat fire with multiple people in the water.

 

They said upon arrival three patients were rescued from the water by FDNY’s marine units and all fire on the boat was extinguished.

They said the both the department’s marine units and land units responded and rescued 22 patients in total. They said two refused medical attention, and one was transported in critical condition to Jacobi Medical Center.

 

They said 19 people incurred non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to area hospitals, and all other civilians swam to Hart Island. They said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

 

In images posted to social media, it does not appear that passengers were wearing life jackets.

 

The FDNY later said that FDNY Marine Units responded to reports of a boat fire “near City Island” in the Bronx, adding that there were 22 people on the boat.

“Marine 4 gave a verbal for a boat fire and multiple people in the water to The Bronx dispatcher,” FDNY Assistant Chief Michael Meyers said. “At that point, the Bronx dispatcher had land units respond to come into City Island and begin to accept patients. Marine 4 grabbed three people out of the water.”

 

Meyers added, “At that point, they transported them to one of the docks that was close by, where Engine 70 was waiting and EMS was waiting as well to begin CPR on the victims.”

 

He continued, “The other 19 folks swam to Hart Island. They were just off the east end of Hart Island, and then they were picked up by the NYPD Coast Guard and FDNY boats and transported back over to the docks at the Yacht Club on City Island.”

 

The fire chief concluded, “This just goes to show you what a coordinated effort happens between our marine units, our land units, and our EMS units to get here to help save lives, by responding in here, by communicating well, and by working with our City partners to help ensure that we protect the people of the City of New York.”

Meanwhile, the NYPD said they received a call at around 7.59 p.m. for a report of boat fire in Long Island Sound in the vicinity of Hart Island, within the confines of the 45th Precinct. They said the NYPD’s harbor unit, aviation unit, and drone team responded, along with the FDNY and EMS.

 

“In total, 23 people were transported to local area hospitals,” an NYPD spokesperson said. “Twenty-two patients sustained minor injuries and were transported in stable condition. One patient sustained serious injuries and was transported in stable condition. The investigation remains ongoing by the NYPD and United States Coast Guard.”

 

The said Joshua Brio, 33, of Bedford Park, The Bronx was arrested on June 7, at 9.04 p.m.  He was charged with reckless endangerment with first degree, driving while intoxicated (with alcohol or drugs), and a further charge of driving while intoxicated (“first offense”). Brio is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

 

We’re following up with NYC Ferries and NYC Parks to ask if the boat was a private one or a city department authorized boat. Generally, only boats authorized by NYC Parks are allowed operate visitor trips to Hart Island. It is unknown at this point if the boat went off course. We will share any additional details on the incident as we receive them.

 

To read more about the restoration and preservation of Hart Island, click here.

 

Members of Fordham University’s rowing club had been rescued after their boat capsized in May 2024, as reported.