Fiery boat explosion in Florida marina leaves one dead, several injured

Five people were injured, and one person was found dead following a boat explosion at the Lauderdale Marina, officials said.

It happened around 6 p.m. Dec. 23. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue (FLFR) received multiple 911 calls about an explosion and a vessel on fire. 

Crews found significant fire on one boat prior to it quickly spreading to another. 

Five people were taken to hospitals, three of whom are suffering from "traumatic injuries," FLFR said.

"I was screaming, screaming, and then they told us we have to get out right away. I was trying to focus to see where my family was," Maria Sans told the media outlet.

"All I saw was the boat just exploded and the top of the boat went up, and it came back down and the boat went into flames. I ran out there to try to see if anybody needed help…. I mean it was like chaos," Tamer Dimiati said. 

"Once the vessels have been removed from the water and can be more closely examined by investigators, we will have a better idea," FLFR said in a statement.