A fire in the engine room of a Staten Island ferry carrying nearly 700 passengers prompted a quick evacuation of the vessel.
Five injuries were reported by officials. The Sandy Ground, named after New York City’s first black community, was put into service earlier this year, a release from the New York City mayor’s office said.
Approximately 868 passengers and 16 crew members were on board at the time of the fire. All of the passengers were ferried to St. George Terminal, according to the Coast Guard
The cause of the fire is currently being investigated.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE STARS PETE DAVIDSON AND COLIN JOST BUY STATEN ISLAND FERRY
“During this evening’s rush, the #StatenIslandFerry the Sandy Ground, had to be temporarily anchored near Bayonne due to a fire limited to the engine room. We are currently working alongside our sister agencies to coordinate a safe transfer of passengers to other vessels,” the New York City Department of Transportation tweeted.
“Thank you to Captain Joseph Ajar and his crew, our ferry staff, and first responders @FDNY for their quick work to put out the fire and ensure safety for all aboard. Many thanks to @ridetheferry for assisting in safely transporting passengers to Staten Island,” the department added.
Thank you to Captain Joseph Ajar and his crew, our ferry staff, and first responders @FDNY for their quick work to put out the fire and ensure safety for all aboard. Many thanks to @ridetheferry for assisting in safely transporting passengers to Staten Island.
— NYC DOT (@NYC_DOT) December 22, 2022
Videos from the scene show passengers donning life vests and being led to another ship.
JUST IN ? Staten Island ferry with hundreds aboard catches fire. Ferry evacuated in New York Harbor near the Statue of Liberty
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) December 22, 2022
?#BREAKING: Over 700 passengers evacuated from a fire on a New York Ferry
?#Manhattan | #NY
Approximately over 700 passengers were evacuated from New York’s Staten Island Ferry following a fire that broke out in the mechanical room aboard the ferry no one was injured pic.twitter.com/OsZ9liqaZZ
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) December 23, 2022
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The ferry was located near the Statue of Liberty at the time of the fire, CBS News reported.
BREAKING: About 600 passengers were safely evacuated from a Staten Island Ferry after a fire broke out in the boat’s engine room. The fire caused the ferry to stall in the New York Harbor near the Statue of Liberty. pic.twitter.com/lHcZgAnqu2
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) December 22, 2022
