Thick plumes of smoke billowed over a popular harbour in Perth’s north after a 50-foot boat was engulfed in flames on Saturday morning.
Firefighters were called to Hillarys Boat Harbour just before 11am and faced challenging conditions as they battled the fierce blaze, which gutted the inside of the luxury vessel.
Ken was on his boat at the end of the same jetty when he saw smoke coming out of the back of the boat nearby.
“I ran and picked up a hose and started trying to put the fire out, at the same time trying to call the fire brigade,” Ken said.
The boat was completely destroyed by the blaze. (ABC News: Julian Robins)
“Then another man came and got the hose … and started trying to put it out.
“At this stage the boat was really well and truly on fire, it was a really bad situation by then.”‘Very hazardous’
Department of Fire and Emergency Services district officer Steve Lusk said 30 firefighters attended, with assistance from Marine Rescue Whitfords.
While firefighters were working to control the boat fire, Mr Lusk said they also had to battle “running fire” sparked by fuel in the water to prevent it from spreading to another vessel.
Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours. (ABC News: Julian Robins)
“Firefighters have had difficulty accessing the seed of the fire due to the depth inside the hull,” he said.
“The Department of Transport are on their way to deploy some pollution booms to contain any spills.”
Mr Lusk said diesel boat fires are “very hazardous just by the sheer nature of the combustible material”.
“The diesel was the main risk, 1,500 litres of diesel in that vessel, it’s still contained in the vessel, there’s just a small amount that spilled out and ran across the water.”
Boat gutted
Firefighters could be seen hosing down the blaze from aboard a boat while several others were doing the same from the jetty.
The fire destroyed the inside of the vessel, leaving the stern blackened as crews continued to try put it out.
The fire gutted the boat after it caught alight in Hillarys Boat Harbour. (ABC News: Julian Robins)
At one point it appeared the blaze was extinguished before it took off again, with flames flaring out of the bow of the boat.
While still alight, the stern then began to sink before it was brought under control.
It is understood the boat may have been purchased just six months ago.
Mr Lusk said the owner had been notified.
“He’ll be making efforts in conjunction with the Hillarys Yacht Club to recover the vessel,” he said of the sunken 50-foot wreck.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services earlier warned the blaze was causing a lot of smoke to be blown in an easterly direction towards the harbour, and across surrounding areas.
Smoke could be seen blowing over coastal suburbs in Perth’s north. (ABC News)
Authorities said there was no direct threat to lives or homes but advised people to avoid the area.
The harbour, which features restaurants and shops, is a popular destination for families on the weekend.
For those who live nearby, authorities advised people to remain inside, out of the smoke or fumes, with doors and windows closed and air conditioners switched off.
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