Rescuers Pull Dozens of Individuals Out of Water After Boat Bursts into Flames in N.Y.C.

First responders in New York Metropolis are working to evacuate dozens of individuals from a ship off the coast of Hart Island within the Bronx after it burst into flames.

A spokesperson for the New York Metropolis Police Division (NYPD) informed PEOPLE {that a} water rescue is ongoing within the neighborhood of Channel View Highway and Soundview Highway after a vessel caught hearth on the night of Saturday, June 7.

Social media footage of the incident obtained by The New York Put up reveals a big boat with huge pillars of black smoke billowing off of it because it floats within the Lengthy Island Sound.

The outlet reported that first responders included each police and New York Fireplace Division (FDNY) officers.

The Put up reported that the vessel caught hearth someday after 8 p.m. native time.

The chief of employees for New York Metropolis Councilmember Kristy Marmorato’s Workplace informed Information 12 that 22 individuals had been rescued from the water to this point, although the NYPD couldn’t verify precisely how many individuals have been rescued.

It isn’t instantly clear what brought about the hearth.

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The NYPD’s Harbor Unit and Aviation Unit are each on scene, the NYPD informed PEOPLE.

“It seems rescue efforts are ongoing,” the spokesperson added.