Jet ferry catches fire, evacuates passengers

Smoke comes from below the gangplank on the Jet Express as it is docked at Put-in-Bay, Ohio, Saturday. The fire was reported as the vessel was about a quarter mile fromPut-in-Bay. A full load of passengers were aboard, and they disembarked safely as smoke and flames could be seen under the gangplank.

PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio — A fire broke out aboard a Jet Express catamaran ferry as it approached the Put-in-Bay harbor on South Bass Island Saturday, but no injuries were reported, a police dispatcher said.

The fire was reported at 5:30 p.m., Cpl. Ryan Stone of the island police department said.

Island resident Kelly Faris said flames and heavy black smoke were visible on the aft, starboard side of the vessel as it approached the dock, where the passengers disembarked.

PHOTO GALLERY: Jet Express catches fire, evacuates passengers

Officials with Jet Express and the local fire department were unavailable for comment.

The Jet Express fleet, operated by Put-in-Bay Boat Line Co., consisting of four catamarans that are nearly 100 feet long and travel up to 40 mph, travels between Port Clinton and Sandusky to South Bass Island and Kelleys Island.

South Bass Island is about 55 miles east of Toledo.