Emergency crews were called to the river between the Andy Warhol and Rachel Carson bridges just before 1 a.m.
When crews arrived, they found the boat fully engulfed in flames. It was extinguished by about 1:15 a.m.
River Rescue searched the area, but could not find anybody on the boat or nearby in the water.
Police obtained surveillance video showing a person boarding the boat, then running away shortly before the fire broke out.
Officials confirmed that the person has not been identified and is not the owner of the boat. Whether intentional or not, it’s believed that the person started the fire.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission was notified about the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Pittsburgh Fire Investigative Unit at 412-782-7646.
The boat was partially floating by daybreak. The wreck was a bit of a shock for those along the riverwalk.
“I’ve never seen on fire, still tied up, ... and you can still smell the smoke and the gasoline,” April Weitzel said.
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Boat Fire Allegheny River A boat caught fire on the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police obtained surveillance video that shows a person getting on the boat, then running away shortly before the fire broke out.
Boat Fire Allegheny River A boat caught fire on the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police obtained surveillance video that shows a person getting on the boat, then running away shortly before the fire broke out.
Boat Fire Allegheny River A boat caught fire on the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police obtained surveillance video that shows a person getting on the boat, then running away shortly before the fire broke out.
Boat Fire Allegheny River A boat caught fire on the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police obtained surveillance video that shows a person getting on the boat, then running away shortly before the fire broke out.
Boat Fire Allegheny River A boat caught fire on the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police obtained surveillance video that shows a person getting on the boat, then running away shortly before the fire broke out.
Boat Fire Allegheny River A boat caught fire on the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police obtained surveillance video that shows a person getting on the boat, then running away shortly before the fire broke out.
Boat Fire Allegheny River A boat caught fire on the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police obtained surveillance video that shows a person getting on the boat, then running away shortly before the fire broke out.
Boat Fire Allegheny River A boat caught fire on the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police obtained surveillance video that shows a person getting on the boat, then running away shortly before the fire broke out.
Boat Fire Allegheny River A boat caught fire on the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police obtained surveillance video that shows a person getting on the boat, then running away shortly before the fire broke out.
Boat Fire Allegheny River A boat caught fire on the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police obtained surveillance video that shows a person getting on the boat, then running away shortly before the fire broke out.
Boat Fire Allegheny River A boat caught fire on the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police obtained surveillance video that shows a person getting on the boat, then running away shortly before the fire broke out.
Boat Fire Allegheny River A boat caught fire on the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police obtained surveillance video that shows a person getting on the boat, then running away shortly before the fire broke out.
Boat Fire Allegheny River A boat caught fire on the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police obtained surveillance video that shows a person getting on the boat, then running away shortly before the fire broke out.
Boat Fire Allegheny River A boat caught fire on the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police obtained surveillance video that shows a person getting on the boat, then running away shortly before the fire broke out.
Boat Fire Allegheny River A boat caught fire on the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police obtained surveillance video that shows a person getting on the boat, then running away shortly before the fire broke out.
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