The boats were described as recreational craft 20 feet or less in length
Crews from the Vancouver Fire Department responded to a fire involving a pair of boats in the Columbia River Sunday.
On Sunday (May 15) at 2:39 p.m., Vancouver Fire department was called to multiple boats on fire in the water near 10612 NW Lower River Road in Vancouver. The boats were described as recreational craft 20 feet or less in length.
The boats were located in the Columbia River between Vancouver and Caterpillar Island. Vancouver Fire responded with one engine, one truck, two battalion chiefs, Fire Boat 1 from Vancouver and Fire Boat 17 from Portland Fire.
Land-based crews arrived first and were able to put the fire out on one boat but could not reach the second. Fire Boats 1 & 17 arrived and were able to extinguish the fire on the second boat in the water. There were no reported injuries.
No one was in the boats upon the arrival of the fire crews. One boat ultimately sank while the second remained afloat. The U.S. Coast Guard and Washington State Department of Ecology were all notified of the incident along with a Clark County fire marshal.
Vancouver Fire Department officials encouraged area residents to please remember to carry life jackets and fire extinguishers in your boat.
Information provided by Vancouver Fire Department.
