On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at approximately 12:20 p.m., Pinellas Suncoast Fire Rescue responded to reports of a vessel fire in the area between North Indian Rocks Beach and southern Belleair Beach. Multiple 9-1-1 calls helped dispatchers pinpoint the location in northern Indian Rocks Beach.
As units responded, a column of thick black smoke was visible from Clearwater-Largo Road and West Bay Drive. Crews experienced minor delays reaching the scene due to limited waterfront access.
Firefighters arrived to find a large vessel fully engulfed in flames while positioned on a lift next to a dock behind 460 Harbor Drive N. Fire suppression efforts were carried out from both land and water, including assistance from Fireboat 27 on the Intracoastal Waterway. Crews contained the fire, preventing spread to nearby homes and limiting damage to the dock.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was notified due to potential fuel and environmental concerns. Hazardous materials teams from Largo Fire Rescue and Seminole Fire Rescue assisted with mitigation efforts.
Pinellas Suncoast Fire Rescue credited a coordinated response involving Clearwater Fire & Rescue, Largo Fire Rescue, City of Seminole Fire Rescue, Sunstar Paramedics, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (land and marine units), and the Pinellas County Regional 9-1-1 Center.
