PORT TOWNSEND — Investigators are attempting to determine the cause of a fire that broke out on a 50-foot wooden power boat at the Boat Haven this morning (Friday, Sept. 27).
No one was hurt, firefighters said. The boat, the Treasure Hunter, was badly damaged and adjacent boats — the Alma A, Del Norte and Sea Gypsy — were damaged by the heat and flames, said Bill Beezley, East Jefferson Fire-Rescue spokesman.
Port Townsend Police Detective Jason Greenspane said that his department is investigating the blaze in conjunction with the fire department.
The fire, reported at about 8:50 a.m., spread quickly, melting the plastic sheeting that was covering the boat while it was undergoing repairs.
Firefighters arrived within three minutes of the call to find towering plume of black smoke, Beezley said.
The fire was brought under control in about 10 minutes and completely extinguished about 15 minutes later, Beezley said.
The Treasure Hunter is owned by Karen Broome of Brinnon who said she had been restoring it for about three years.
Broome said she planned to restore the damaged boat and make restitution to the owners of the adjacent boats that were damaged.
Naval Magazine Indian Island firefighters assisted, Beezley said.