Flames reflect off the water near Beach Haven after a vessel caught fire overnight, with residents waking to loud bangs and explosions. Photo / Scott Espie
Flames reflect off the water near Beach Haven after a vessel caught fire overnight, with residents waking to loud bangs and explosions. Photo / Scott Espie
A police investigation has been launched after a boat was engulfed in flames overnight in Auckland waters, with residents hearing loud bangs as the vessel caught fire.
Emergency services were called to reports of a boat on fire near Beach Haven in the Waitematā Harbour about 12.50am.
The blaze wasconfirmed by the police eagle helicopter and by the time the police maritime unit and emergency staff arrived, the fire was well-involved.
Police have confirmed the sole occupant of the boat escaped in a dinghy and was uninjured.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
Residents in Beach Haven, Hobsonville and Greenhithe reported on social media they were woken by loud explosions from the boat, which was reportedly on a mooring near the Beach Haven wharf.
A strong smell of smoke wafted over the coastal suburbs as the fire engulfed the ship.
Firefighters aboard the police launch Deodar docked at Beach Haven wharf after battling a boat fire between Beach Haven and Hobsonville Point overnight. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Emergency services were called around 12.50am to multiple reports of a boat on fire, Fire and Emergency northern shift manager Lauren Sika said.
The fire crew responded with police on the water, Sika said.
“All persons were accounted for.”
Firefighters aboard the police launch Deodar have battled a boat fire in the channel between Beach Haven and Hobsonville Point overnight. Photo / Hayden Woodward
The crew worked to extinguish the fire with a low-pressure delivery system and a portable pump.
Sika could not comment on why the fire was logged as a “hazardous substance” call on Fire and Emergency’s incident reports page.
