Lillian, Ala. – (OBA) – According to the Lillian Fire and Rescue Facebook page, a 33-foot boat caught fire and sank in Perdido Bay on Tuesday afternoon. The fire broke out around 3 p.m., prompting multiple fire departments to respond. According to photos taken by Flo Rider Thompson and posted on his a Facebook page, the boat had sunk by 3:56pm. 

The boat owner was having engine trouble and as he tried to restart the engine an explosion took place in the rear of the boat.

The boat owner was the only person on the boat at the time and was rescued from the water by Lillian Fire Rescue. He was taken to an emergency room with minor injuries. He is still in the hospital as of the latest update but is expected to recover.

The Orange Beach Fire Boat ultimately put out the fire, but it was too late as the vessel ended up sinking to the bottom of Perdido Bay.

Responding agencies included the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Marine Police, the Lillian Volunteer Fire Department, Perdido Beach Fire Dept. and the Orange Beach Fire Dept.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.