Two people and their cat had to jump into Commencement Bay when their boat caught fire. A report from FOX13 Seattle detailed how the boat ignited a little before 9:30 a.m., sending a large column of smoke skyward, which became a signal of distress visible from the Tacoma shoreline. The Tacoma Police Department swiftly intervened, rescuing the pair and their pet from the cold grip of the bay's waters.
Commencement Bay - TFD is currently working on a boat fire in the bay. @TacomaPD rescued the boat’s occupants from the water, and crews are working to put the fire out. pic.twitter.com/3s82B07XXO
— Tacoma Fire (@TacomaFire) July 4, 2024
Miraculously emerging without injury, the victims of the blaze were nonetheless shaken, witnessing their aquatic conveyance be consumed by fire. In efforts to quench the flames, tugboats from the Foss Tugboat Company initiated the fight against the combustion, laying the groundwork for Tacoma Fire Department's Fireboat Destiny which, as described by MyNorthwest, arrived to fully extinguish the fire by around 10:20 a.m. The incident concluded without physical harm to any human or animal involved, a testament to the swift and coordinated response of Tacoma's maritime and emergency services.
While the immediate danger was abated, the aftermath presented another challenge for Tacoma fire officials who noticed the gasoline spill, as gas was difficult to be contained on account of its buoyancy. This peril, invisible yet potent as around 280 gallons of gasoline entered the bay, required the mobilization of both state and city ecology hazmat teams to mitigate the environmental hazard. The efforts to contain the gasoline, according to KOMO News, are ongoing as officials work tirelessly to prevent further aquatic contamination.
