Boat sinks hours after catching fire - Rozelle
Published: 27 Jul 2022 10:03am
A boat that went up in flames last night has now sunk in the Parramatta River in Sydney's inner west.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) received 30 individual Triple Zero (000) calls alerting crews to the emergency at 6pm last night.
The first responding firefighters saw an 18 metre timber-hulled cabin cruiser ablaze around 40 metres from the Rozelle shoreline. Despite reports it was drifting freely, the vessel was in fact anchored by a mooring.
Additional crews were directed to the water's edge in Drummoyne, where they boarded a Port Authority of NSW boat and went out onto the river to attack the flames.
It took more than two hours to extinguish the blaze and douse hotspots.
A 49-year-old man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for smoke inhalation and minor burns.
The vessel continued to be monitored overnight, with a boom installed around it to prevent fragments or liquids floating away with the changing tide.
Around 2:40am, FRNSW was alerted to a reignition in the hull. The boat began to sink before crews could gain access.
Port Authority of NSW teams are continuing to deal with debris and spillage from the vessel.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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.
Updated: 30 Jan 2023 09:14pm
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]
Stations nearby
391 Darling Street, Balmain NSW 2041
29 - 35 Lyons Road, Drummoyne NSW 2047
1 Marion Street, Leichhardt NSW 2040