WOMAN KILLED IN FLORIDA CASINO SHUTTLE BOAT FIRE

A casino company said Monday it never had a problem with the shuttle boat that erupted in flames off Florida’s Gulf Coast, leading to the death of a female passenger.

Tropical Breeze Casino spokeswoman Beth Fifer said the company does not know what caused Sunday’s blaze, which gutted the shuttle boat and forced about 50 passengers to jump into the chilly waters off Port Richey.

“We are deeply saddened for the loss of our passenger, the 14 injured and anyone else who was affected by this tragedy,” Fifer said.

The 42-year-old passenger arrived at the hospital’s emergency room at 10 p.m. Sunday and died shortly afterward. She had apparently gone home after the fire but became ill. Helicopter video taken by WTSP-TV early Monday shows the boat was burned down to its hull.