Watch CBS News

Fire Destroys Sailboat, Kills Pet Near Monument Island

MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) -- A dog was killed in a sailboat fire Sunday morning near Monument Island.

The 32-foot sailboat was anchored just west of 14 Street and West Avenue when the fire broke out.

"We received a call ... a distress call from a boater reporting a fire," said Capt. Robert Hevia of Miami Fire Rescue.

Hevia said when response got there the fire had melted the mast of the boat.

(Courtesy: City Of Miami Fire)

(Courtesy: City Of Miami Fire)

"Completely charred, hull is all that's left can't see anything surviving that," said Miami Beach resident Mika Mastin who watched from his apartment as fire rescue responded.

Miami Fire Rescue says the boat owner was not on board when the blaze started, but his two dogs were.

"One of the boaters left his sailboat. He had multiple sailboats out there and went to a local island," said Hevia. "When he looked back and saw flames and smoke from his vessel, he went back to save two dogs that were on the boat."

One of the dogs was rescued. The boater was unable to rescue the other dog due to the amount of smoke and flames.

The boat is still afloat and has been left in the same location. The owner of the boat is working with a salvage company to have the boat moved.

"It is a derelict vessel right now so boaters have to be careful with it," said Hevia.

It is not known what caused the fire but it has been deemed accidental, according to Miami Beach Fire Rescue.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.