First responders in New York City are working to evacuate dozens of people from a boat off the coast of Hart Island in the Bronx after it burst into flames.
A spokesperson for the New York City Police Department (NYPD) told PEOPLE that a water rescue is ongoing in the vicinity of Channel View Road and Soundview Road after a vessel caught fire on the evening of Saturday, June 7.
Social media footage of the incident obtained by The New York Post shows a large boat with massive pillars of black smoke billowing off of it as it floats in the Long Island Sound.
The outlet reported that first responders included both police and New York Fire Department (FDNY) officials.
Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto/Getty
The Post reported that the vessel caught fire sometime after 8 p.m. local time.
The chief of staff for New York City Councilmember Kristy Marmorato's Office told News 12 that 22 people had been rescued from the water so far, though the NYPD could not confirm exactly how many people have been rescued.
It is not immediately clear what caused the fire.
The NYPD's Harbor Unit and Aviation Unit are both on scene, the NYPD told PEOPLE.
"It appears rescue efforts are ongoing," the spokesperson added.
