By SHAYLA ESCUDERO/Lincoln Chronicle
NEWPORT — A 30-foot recreational boat caught fire along the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration dock Friday afternoon, sending plumes of black smoke into the sky and drawing onlookers throughout Yaquina Bay and Newport.
No one was injured in the fire and it was extinguished in about 20 minutes.
The large plume of black smoke rose from the south side of Yaquina Bay at around 3 p.m.
A group of runners by the Hatfield Marine Science Center stopped in a parking lot to look up at the mass of black smoke above them and across the docks, dozens of onlookers watched firefighters extinguish the flames that engulfed the vessel.
Crews from the Newport Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Depoe Bay Fire District, Seal Rock Fire District and Central Oregon Coast Fire and Rescue responded to the blaze.
Something may have exploded but the cause of the fire is still under investigation, said city of Newport public information officer, John Fuller. NOAA is also investigating if the dock suffered any damage.
- This is a breaking news story and will be updated when authorities release more information.
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Shayla Escudero / Lincoln Chronicle Flames consume a 30-foot recreational boat Friday afternoon as it drifted into the NOAA docks in Newport.
No info on what happened to the people on the boat?
My friend and his brother are okay. Apparently the fuel line broke on their first time taking it in the water. The just purchased this used boat. Lucky to be alive after that explosion.