Police chief: Passengers safely reach shore after Florida boat catches fire

A casino boat shuttle was engulfed in flames Sunday afternoon.

Florida authorities said the boat caught fire and all 50 passengers safely made it to the nearby shore after a rescue operation in the Tampa Bay area.

CNN initially reported that at least 15 people were hurt. WFTS-TV reported that the passengers' conditions were unknown.

Port Richey Chief of Police Gerard DeCanio said that there were no life-threatening injuries, mostly reports of chest pain and smoke inhalation.

He said the shuttle boat was close to shore when it had engine problems and the crew decided to turn back.

The U.S. Coast Guard said that the fire happened near the mouth of the Coty River near New Port Richey.

#BREAKING @USCG and agency partners are responding to a boat fire with people in the water near the mouth of the Coty River near New Port Richey. Limited details at this time. All updates on this response will posted to @USCGSoutheast #SAR
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) January 14, 2018

The shuttle boat carries people back and forth from the Tropical Breeze Casino Cruise, which is offshore because it can't legally operate close to land.

The Associated Press contributed.