4 rescued from boat burning in Intracoastal Waterway

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Four boaters were rescued Wednesday afternoon after their cabin cruiser caught fire on the Intracoastal Waterway near Fort Matanzas.

The boaters were picked up by a good Samaritan in another boat and taken to a boat ramp in Palm Coast. They were not hurt.

The fire was put out by the St. Johns County County Fire Department's marine unit. The boat suffered substantial damage and remains anchored in the waterway. It will need to be salvaged and there's no word on how soon that will happen.

WATCH: 4 rescued from burning boat

"Everybody on the beach was concerned and wanting to know," said Louis Joseph, one of those on Crescent Beach who saw the column of black smoke. "At first we thought it was a wildfire but then we later found out. Absolutely glad everyone got off OK."

Florida Fish and Wildlife is handling the investigation.