Fire destroys boat near Carolina Beach

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A man was forced to abandon his 40-foot boat Friday after a fire broke out in the engine room while he was on the Intracoastal Waterway just north of Inlet Watch Marina. His dog was on board and has not been found.

According to Captain Tom Morgan with Tow Boat U.S., the fire happened around 3 p.m. about three-quarters of a mile north of Inlet Watch, before the boat came to rest at a private dock. The flames destroyed the boat and damaged part of the dock.

Morgan says New Hanover County Fire Rescue’s fire boat responded to the scene, along with the U.S. Coast Guard and two boats from Tow Boat U.S.

A containment boom, which is designed to trap oil and diesel fuel and help prevent pollution, was placed around the wreckage. Tow Boat U.S. plans to haul the boat to Carolina Beach for removal.

There’s no word yet on what caused the fire.