More than 500 rescued from burning ferry off Puerto Rico coast
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (WLS) -- A fire on a ferry off the coast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, forced more than 500 people to abandon ship Wednesday morning.
PHOTOS: Fire breaks out on ferry near San Juan
The U.S. Coast Guard received a 911 call around 7:45 a.m. about a small fire that started in the ferry's engine room. The flames spread quickly to the rest of the ship.
Boat and air crews were dispatched to the Caribbean Fantasy, which was about a mile from the coast, USCG officials said.
There were 512 passengers and crew members on board, officials said. Rescue teams used a mass-rescue craft to bring passengers safely to the harbor, as the ferry burned. Then they went back for the crew.
Several dozen people were treated for dehydration and shock, but no major injuries were reported.
The Caribbean Fantasy runs between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. It launched from Santo Domingo and was arriving in San Juan when the fire started.
The cause is under investigation.
