At around 4pm yesterday (16 June, 2022) aboard a 38 foot fibreglass 1978 Swanson yacht the Edna Francis caught fire at the Brunswick Boat Harbour. Marine Rescue Brunswick volunteers assisted Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) quickly attending the scene and working on putting out the fire. Police also attended the scene.
‘Marine Rescue Brunswick volunteers assisted Fire and Rescue NSW as they battled a boat fire in the harbour at Brunswick Heads,’ Jonathan Wilcock, Unit Commander for Marine Rescue Brunswick told The Echo.
The fire was finally extinguished around 8pm and was attended by FRNSW trucks from Brunswick Heads, Tweed Heads, Mullumbimby and Goonellabah.
‘Firefighters put on protective equipment, personal flotation devices (PFDs) and breathing apparatus, before approaching the fiberglass yacht,’ said a FRNSW spokesperson.
‘Fearing the boat would sink, firefighters, using multiple lines of hose, were able to get onboard to extinguish the blaze that had spread throughout the vessel’s interior.’
One person is suffering from smoke inhalation a was assisted by NSW Ambulance on scene.
Volunteers of Marine Rescue Brunswick and NSW Police then deployed a boom around the vessel and set up lighting. It is understood that they wre initiating measures to contain and remove water polluted by the fire.
The boat is believed to be valued about $100,000.
‘It is suspected that the fire had started from the engine area,’ said Detective Inspector Matt Kehoe.
The fire is not considered suspicious and a Maratime Inspector will attend the scene today, 17 June.
Superintendent Adam Dewberry from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) said this is a timely reminder that calling Triple Zero (000) for a fire emergency can be the difference between life and death, or a building or other property being saved or destroyed.
The Triple Zero (000) service is the quickest way to get the right resources from emergency services to help you. It should be used to contact Police, Fire or Ambulance services in life-threatening or time-critical situations.
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