Gatineau fire officials say seven people jumped into the Ottawa River and were rescued by other boaters after their vessel caught fire on Monday afternoon.
No one was seriously injured but one person was taken to hospital as a precaution, according to Gatineau’s fire department.
Firefighters from both Gatineau and Ottawa responded to the incident on the river, which separates the two municipalities.
Ottawa Fire Services said they received multiple 911 calls reporting a boat on fire mid-river near 98 Sussex Drive.
The 911 callers told firefighters that heavy black smoke was coming from the boat and that there were people in the water being assisted by fellow boaters.
Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed that multiple people who had been in the water were safely aboard other boats and were being transported for assessment to the Gatineau side of the river.
Water rescue technicians from Ottawa’s fire department then extinguished the blaze, officials said.
Ottawa firefighters reminded boaters to always wear flotation devices when out on the water.
-With files from Beatrice Britneff
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