THIS is the moment a boat bursts into flames and shoots thick plumes of choking smoke into the air in a horror inferno.

Three people have been hospitalised after a luxury 30ft vessel exploded off the coast of City Island in the Bronx.

The entire boat was ablaze with the main body utterly destroyed Credit: @cerabiere via Storyful

Onlookers captured footage of the horrifying inferno Credit: @cerabiere via Storyful

The terrifying inferno unfolded at around 1.40pm.

Shocking footage shows fiery red flames raging across the body of the vessel as a thick column of black smoke spirals into the sky.

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Two people can be seen hugging on the docks as they watch the terrifying scene.

Half of the hull collapsed and was destroyed in the blast as the sleek white vessel transformed into a blackened husk.

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More than 70 firefighters from 21 units raced to the scene of the inferno.

Rescuers rushed three people to hospital with minor injuries.

The boat had been docked at 691 Bridge St. in City Island when it ignited from causes as yet unkown.

Firefighters battled the flames for nearly an hour.

Black clouds of smoke spewed several feet into the air Credit: @cerabiere via Storyful

Unbelievably huge trails of smoke sytretched across City Island Credit: @cerabiere via Storyful

Cops have launched a probe into the mystery explosion.

It comes as a horror blast ripped through a charter boat in Florida, hospitalising 15.

The vessel exploded in Biscayne Bay, a bustling tourist spot in Miami in May.

Two children were among the victims – with one being treated for 18 per cent burns which scorched his body.

An adult is also in hospital with burns covering roughly 30 per cent of his skin.

Last year a boat captain was arrested following the explosion of his vessel.

More than 20 of his passengers leapt into icy waters to escape the boat-turned-fireball.