Two men in their 30s and a young boy were injured yesterday morning when a fishing boat they were on caught fire in waters off China Wall near Maunalua Bay.

The men and the boy had apparently abandoned ship and "were pulled from the water by another fisherman who was passing by," said fire department spokesman Capt. Emmit Kane.

The fire occurred about 9 a.m. about three-quarters to a mile off shore, south of the area known as China Wall, Kane said.

The boat's occupants were taken to Straub Hospital with various injuries, a Coast Guard official said. One man apparently had burns to his arms, face and legs and the boy suffered burns to his feet, Kane said. Officials estimate that the boy is 4 to 6 years old.

Coast Guard Petty Officer April Boyde, who was among those who responded to the fire call, said that when her boat rounded Koko Head she could see a plume of smoke rising 400 to 500 feet in the air.

"We weren't sure if anyone was on board," Boyde said. She said she was later told that the people were able to abandon ship.

Three boats from the Coast Guard and fire department and a Coast Guard helicopter responded to the fire. Kane did not immediately know the cause of the fire.

A fire rescue boat towed the 25-foot vessel into Maunalua Bay. The boat was put on a trailer and was being towed to a home in Kalama Valley when it caught fire again, Kane said. Firefighters were sent to put out the blaze and handle several gallons of fuel that leaked from the boat's fuel tank, he said.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.