Father, Son Recovering from Minor Injuries After Thursday Boat Fire

Photo: WHDH 7News

The father and son whose boat caught fire Thursday off Marblehead’s shore are recovering at home from minor injuries.

Arnold Heitmann, 60, of Swampscott, and his father, whom police did not identify, were both released from Boston hospitals after being treated for injuries that were not as severe as first thought, according to Marblehead Fire Chief Jason Gilliland.

The elder Heitmann’s wife said both men were recovering well.

A mechanical failure in the engine compartment, specifically involving the alternator, seems to have caused the fire on the 45-foot sailboat, named the Sundowner, Gilliland said. The younger Heitmann, the boat’s owner, built the vessel with his father.

The men were enjoying an evening on the water Thursday when the fire broke out just after 5 p.m. The men were rescued from the boat and from the water by Eastern Yacht Club launch driver Andrew DiMare. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire quickly, according to log reports.

During the emergency response, Marblehead Assistant Harbormaster Dan Roads suffered some smoke inhalation and was seen at and released from the hospital later Thursday evening.

The Daily Item of Lynn said firefighters estimated the contents loss to be $10,000, and property loss to be $15,000. Heitmann’s wife said they did not yet know whether the boat could be saved, and she was awaiting a call from the insurance adjuster.