One dead, 4 others hospitalized after fiery boat explosion in Dania Beach

FORT LAUDERDALE — A boat explosion in Dania Beach on Friday afternoon left one man dead and sent four others to hospitals with severe burns and injuries.

Broward County Sheriff’s Fire Rescue responded to the emergency at Nautical Ventures Marina on Ravenswood Road around 4:30 p.m. Aerial footage showed the vessel on a trailer, engulfed in thick, black smoke visible from miles away.

The boat had been brought in for servicing ahead of the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, according to investigators. As five workers began fueling the vessel, it suddenly exploded.

“We heard this massive boom while I was waiting on a table [at Rustic Inn Crabhouse, just north of the marina],” said Bryan Harrison, a server at the restaurant.

“The whole building felt it,” added Danielle Schmergel, another server.

Server Allison Conway initially thought a collision had occurred, while Shaunna Mulvaney noted, “The whole building shook for a second, and I thought that was strange.”

Fire officials found five men injured upon their arrival at the scene.