A 27-foot boat docked along East Riviera Drive in Lindenhurst caught fire Wednesday evening, injuring one person with burns and sending thick smoke and flames into the air as firefighters worked to prevent the blaze from spreading.

One person suffered burns after a boat caught fire Wednesday evening along the waterfront in Lindenhurst, according to firefighters.

High flames and thick clouds of smoke filled the air after the fire broke out on a 27-foot boat that was docked along East Riviera Drive.

Robert Santo, who was fishing nearby, said he first noticed white smoke coming from the boat before the situation escalated.

"I was fishing off the dock, a couple docks down. All I saw at first was white smoke. I thought he had a fire going, but then I heard a loud boom. Then black smoke started to come," Santo said.

Santo said he called 911 after realizing the boat was on fire.

Firefighters said the call came in at approximately 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, and crews cleared the scene about an hour later. Officials said one person was burned in the fire.

After the blaze was extinguished, much of the boat's rear section was destroyed, with parts of the vessel sunk in the water.

Santo said he feared the flames would spread beyond the boat.

"It's insane. I thought it was spreading because the dock went up in flames. The dock was on fire at first," Santo said.