Thirteen people, including a family of five, were taken to South Shore Hospital after a boat caught on fire just before 4 p.m. Tuesday in the area of 48 Jericho Road.
According to Scituate Fire Chief John Murphy, the boat was being fueled up when it was turned on and somehow ignited and burst into flames.
"There was a family – two parents and three children – onboard at the time," Murphy said.
An eyewitness who was sitting on a bench near the Jericho Boat Launch said he heard an explosion, saw the flames, and heard people screaming.
The family jumped into the water was brought ashore by another boater.
A black plume of smoke rose high above the harbor. That area of Jericho Road was blocked by police.
"When we arrived the boat was fully involved in flames," Murphy said.
Personnel from the harbormaster's office were able to secure the boat, which had started to drift off.
"If they had not done that, there could have been a lot more damage," Murphy said.
Hoses from the harbormaster's boat, and from fire trucks on land, were used to extinguish the fire. It was then sprayed with foam as it rested on its side in the water at the boat launch.
One of the adults, and a child, were believed to have received burns, Murphy said, adding it was his understanding none of the injuries were life-threatening. The other three family members were also transported to the hospital for evaluation.
Eight first responders and people who were trying to help out were taken to the hospital for minor issues as a precaution.
The only damage was to the boat and the fuel dock.
Mutual aid from Cohasset, Hingham, Marshfield, and Norwell assisted in firefighting and with ambulances.
"It went very well," Murphy said. "There is no real hazmat issue and the scene is now stable."
An investigation is underway.
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