Malfunction Likely Caused Yacht Fire at Goat Island Marina

Newport Police say an engine malfunction may be to blame for a boat fire that occurred off the harbor of Goat Island Marina Sunday afternoon.

Police told Patch that the incident, which was first reported at 2:08 p.m., involved a 57-foot vessel that near the harbor's fuel dock. The Coast Guard and Newport harbormaster were the first to respond to the scene, with Newport firefighters arriving shortly thereafter. No one was injured. Police say the fire did not appear suspicious.

The Coast Guard's Ryan O'Hare told Patch that they removed eight people from the vessel and transported them to Goat Island Marina. The harbormaster and fire department remained on the scene to investigate. The Coast Guard reports that the owner of the vessel is Cranston resident Nicholas Gallow.

Patch reader Doug Smith reports that he was on a nearby boat Sunday when he saw smoke billowing from the center and aft sections of the vessel. Smith said the vessel's occupants were huddled at the bow until they were helped off onto other waiting boats.