PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg is left to clean up the mess left behind after multiple boats caught fire at the Riviera Marina on Friday
“Our concern is to make sure pollution isn't getting out into the environment and has a negative impact on marine wildlife," U.S. Coast Guard, First Class Petty Officer Ayla Hudson said.
Charlotte County EMS responded to the fire when it broke out. The call came in after 1:45 p.m. that a 45-foot boat was on fire. They said the fire reached 7-9 boats before it could be contained.
How the fire started is under investigation, but no injuries were reported.
Hudson says they’re still in the preliminary stages of finding out just how much damage was done to the marina.
“Kinda finding out what we are dealing with how much potential pollution there is and the best procedure for containing it and removing it as quickly and safely as we can.”
The U.S. Coast Guard says they’ll be back Sunday morning to continue cleanup efforts.
The cleanup is said to take up to 2-3 days.
