NEW SHOREHAM, R.I. (WPRI) — One person is safe after a boat fire off the coast of Block Island.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the boat’s starboard engine caught fire Friday afternoon roughly 1.5 nautical miles from New Harbor. A plume of heavy smoke could be seen pouring from the boat.
Only one person was on board, the Coast Guard said, and a good Samaritan who spotted the smoke helped get them to safety.
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Narragansett Fire Lt. Chris Demers told 12 News the initial fire was put out with fire extinguishers, but the flames reignited while the Coast Guard was towing the 38-foot vessel back to shore.
“When we arrived, it was fully involved from bow to stern,” Demers said. “We were able to get there and put it out pretty quickly, and we did follow the commercial salvage company back to the marina because there’s a good chance it was going to rekindle.”
The Block Island Harbormaster and Fire Department also responded to help put out the fire, along with a crew from the Newport Fire Department.
No injuries were reported.
Demers offered a word of advice to anyone heading out on the water.
“Life jackets, fire extinguishers, and just be careful around open flames,” he said. “Not saying that’s what happened, but just something to be concerned about, especially if you’re on your own.”
