When a large sailboat went out of control at Oak Island’s South Harbor Village Marina in North Carolina late Sunday, February 27, first responders rushed to the scene.
One person was hospitalized for smoke inhalation, the Oak Island Fire Department said in a Facebook post.
The fire was reported at 11:44 p.m. and firefighters arrived to find a 40- to 45-foot sailboat that was “completely consumed by the fire,” the fire department said.
Multiple videos shared on Facebook show the boat burning from bow to stern as first responders circled it, including the US Coast Guard.
The fire department said the fire was brought under control shortly before 2 a.m. on Monday, February 28.
“The boat was near the tank dock, although it is unclear if it was being refueled at the time of the fire. A bystander (possibly the boat owner) initially attempted to extinguish the fire but was unsuccessful,” the fire department wrote.
“This individual was transported from the scene by Brunswick County EMS for smoke inhalation. Her condition is currently unknown and no other injuries have been reported.”
Investigators say the boat on fire eventually “floated off the dock, requiring a response from both land and water.”
Video released by the fire department shows the sailboat was still near shore when its mast fell into the water.
It is unclear whether there were people on board at the time the fire broke out. A lifeboat stood by to remove passengers but was not launched, according to Oak Island Water Rescue.
A cause of the fire and the name of the ship were not released.
First responders worked to ensure the fire didn’t spread, including using a drone, Oak Island Water Rescue reported.
Sea Tow’s Matt Saunders reported that the boat was in the Intracoastal Waterway when it caught fire.
The marina near Southport offers service for both private and charter boats.
This story was originally published Feb 28, 2022 11:26 am.
