Crime & Safety
UPDATE: Police Investigating Double Boat Fire at Marina [VIDEO]
Tiverton fire crews assisted in extinguishing a double boat fire at a Portsmouth marina last night; the cause of of the blaze is still under investigation.
Fire departments from around Aquidneck Island area, including Tiverton, responded to Pirate Cove Marina in Portsmouth just after 8 p.m. Wednesday after a report of two boats on fire.
There were no reports of anyone on board the boats at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported.
At least four area fire departments — Portsmouth, Middletown, Bristol and Tiverton — fought hard to prevent the fire from spreading to surrounding boats in the busy marina.
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A crowd of at least 20 nearby residents and boatyard personnel watched from Point Road as a heavy, gray plume of smoke rose from the boats. Firefighters could be seen along the docks fighting the flames.
Two boats were found to be damaged after the fire was extinguished.
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One of the boats was a 25-ft., fiberglass powerboat. The name, "Capcity," could be read on its stern after it was removed from the water.
The second boat, which appeared more heavily damaged, was a 1958, 40-ft. Richardson wooden boat. The owner was reportedly on scene Wednesday night.
There was a tense moment around 9:30 p.m. The Richardson boat was pulled by a crane out of the water; however, the boat was still smoking. Firefighters rushed to extinguish the hot spots while the boat remained in the crane.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time. Portsmouth detectives and members of the State Fire Marshal's Office were both at the marina Wednesday night.
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