FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A boat caught fire Saturday afternoon near Commercial Boulevard at the Kaluz restaurant after one of its engines exploded shortly after departure.

Owner Ivan Sayles and a friend had just left the restaurant when the boat burst into flames. Both jumped off in time and were not injured.

“I’m grateful to be alive,” the owner said. “It’s crazy — the boat just exploded.”

Fort Lauderdale fire crews quickly responded, extinguishing the flames before the damaged vessel was towed away. The cause of the explosion is under investigation.

Boat catches fire near Commercial Boulevard

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Brett Knese