At midnight on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, Newport Fire Department was dispatched to a fishing vessel on fire at Port Dock 5 on SE Bay BLVD. First arriving units observed heavy smoke coming from the fishing vessel BJ Thomas.
Fire crews used portable dock pumps and made access onto the vessel to extinguish the fire. Crews were hampered by having to force entry into the wheelhouse, extreme heat from the fire, and cold snowy conditions. After determining our dock pumps were not keeping up with the fire, the USCG Motor Life Boat Victory was called for assistance.
Their on board fire pumps gave the needed water to extinguish the flames. Crews spent 3 hours, extinguishing the fire, cooling the vessel and performing overhaul. Newport Fire Department received mutual aid assistance from USCG Station Yaquina Bay, Depoe Bay Fire, Seal Rock Fire, and Toledo Fire.
Newport Police Dept., Lincoln County Sherriffās Office and Pacific West Ambulance provided assistance. Newport Fire Dept. responded with 1 fire engine, 1 water tender, 1 heavy rescue, 1 chief officer and 8 firefighters.
The cause of the fire was determined to be a space heater too close to combustibles. All space heaters should have at least 18 inches of clearance. This information was released by Newport Police Department on behalf of Newport Fire Department.
Comments