A man was arrested and more than 20 people were rescued after a 44-foot yacht caught fire off Hart Island in the Bronx on Saturday night, leaving one person critically injured, authorities said.
Police arrested Joshua Brito, 33, who was aboard the vessel at the time of the fire. He was charged with reckless endangerment and operating a vessel while intoxicated. Attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.
The NYPD said its harbor, aviation and drone units responded around 8 p.m. after receiving reports of a vessel in distress near City Island. The U.S. Coast Guard described the boat as a cabin cruiser with an enclosed interior. New York City firefighters and officers from New Rochelle assisted in the operation.
One passenger suffered serious burns and was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Officials said the person is expected to survive.
“Three people were rescued directly from the water, and another 19 swam to Hart Island,” FDNY Assistant Chief Michael Meyers said. “They were then picked up by NYPD, Coast Guard and FDNY vessels and taken to the docks at the Yacht Club on City Island.”
“This shows what a coordinated response between marine, land and EMS units can accomplish,” Meyers added.
Thick black smoke was visible from the shore, and several videos showing the fire circulated on social media Saturday night. Authorities said there was no indication the blaze was caused by a collision. The cause remained under investigation Sunday.
Hart Island, located off the eastern edge of the Bronx, has long served as New York City’s public burial ground and remains largely uninhabited. On Saturday night, it briefly became a place of refuge for those forced to flee the burning boat.
Officials said the fast response likely prevented a far worse outcome.
