Boat Destroyed By Fire At Salamander Bay

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a boat moored offshore from Salamander Bay overnight.

Firefighters were called to Soldiers Point Road at 8.00pm on Tuesday to find the 6 metre timber vessel well alight about 20 metres from the shoreline.

An RFS boat was brought in to douse the flames.

No-one was on board at the time.

Efforts to tow the boat ashore and secure booms after the fire was put out were unsuccessful, with the vessel sinking in the process.

Newcastle Fire Command says there is no apparent pollution risk to the environment.

The cause of the fire is not yet determined and it's expected a salvage operation will get under way today.

BREAKING Cruiser Destroyed And Others Damaged By Fire At Wangi Wangi

BY IAN CROUCH

A boat has been destroyed and up to 3 others have been damaged in a devastating fire at Wangi Wangi early Monday.

Fire crews responded to reports an 11 metre cabin cruiser was up in flames about 70 metres off the shore from Wangi Workers Club just after 2am.

However crews couldn't reach the vessel and an RFS boat from Wyee had to be brought in to fight the blaze which had been burning fiercely for up to 45 minutes by the time they arrived.

They managed to extinguish the fire but the cruiser was burnt to the waterline and sank in 5 metres of water as it was being towed to a nearby jetty.

It's not clear at this stage if anyone was on board the boat when the fire broke out.

The RFS says 2 or 3 other boats including a 30 foot cruiser were scorched by the intense blaze.

There is a large amount of fuel debris in the water.

Hazmat crews have recovered 2 gas cylinders - they say fuel is being dispersed by the wind and tide.

An RFS Boat Was Called In To Tackle The Blaze