5-Year-Old Severely Burned in Venice Boat Fire

Explosion on Intracoastal Waterway leaves child and woman hospitalized with serious injuries

Apr. 19, 2026 at 8:03pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a small, burning boat on a vast, turbulent body of water, with the fire's glow reflected in the choppy waves and dark, ominous clouds overhead conveying the power and danger of the natural environment.A devastating boat fire on the Intracoastal Waterway leaves a family in crisis and the local community grappling with the fragility of life on the water.Venice Today

A 5-year-old boy and a 41-year-old woman suffered serious burns after a boat caught fire on the Intracoastal Waterway in Venice, Florida on Sunday afternoon. According to the Venice Fire Rescue, the boat was carrying a family of four when an explosion occurred, leading to the fire. The child was airlifted to the hospital, while the woman was transported by ambulance. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Why it matters

Boat fires can be extremely dangerous, especially when they occur in crowded waterways like the Intracoastal. This incident highlights the importance of proper boat maintenance, safety protocols, and emergency response capabilities to protect the public in coastal communities.

The details

Venice Fire Rescue responded to the boat fire around 1:16 p.m. at the Marine Park Boat Ramp near the Historic Venice Train Depot. Firefighters found a family of four on the boat ramp, with the 5-year-old boy and 41-year-old woman suffering serious burns. The woman reported an 'explosion' on the boat prior to the fire. The child was airlifted to the hospital, while the woman was transported by ambulance. The other two family members, a 15-year-old boy and a man in his 40s, were uninjured. The boat had floated down the Intracoastal Waterway and was recovered by another boater and towed towards the boat ramp.

  • The boat fire was reported around 1:16 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
  • The boat ramp has since been reopened.

The players

Venice Fire Rescue

The local fire department that responded to the boat fire incident on the Intracoastal Waterway.

5-year-old boy

A young child who suffered serious burns in the boat fire and was airlifted to the hospital.

41-year-old woman

An adult who was also severely burned in the boat fire and transported to the hospital by ambulance.

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What they’re saying

“There was an 'explosion' on the boat, according to VFR.”

— 41-year-old woman

What’s next

Officials are still investigating the cause of the boat fire.

The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with boating and the importance of proper safety measures to protect families on the water. The local community will likely rally to support the victims and their families as they recover from this traumatic event.