Boat bursts into flames in Kelowna after engine wouldn’t shut off

A Formula 400SS boat caught fire on the shore Okanagan Lake in Kelowna this morning.

Emergency crews were called to the scene around 6:30 a.m. today, Sept. 7, according to a release from the City of Kelowna.

Firefighters, who were first on scene, reported the boat was fully involved on a lift at the 4000 block of Eldorado Court, about 50 feet out from the shore on a dock.

A supply line was deployed into the lake an attack line was attached, and the fire was suppressed.  Another responding team, Marine Rescue 2 attacked the fire from the lake.

The boat was left “heavily damaged,” according to the city. The suspected cause of the fire was mechanical and the Ministry of Environment has been notified.

READ MORE: No foul play suspected in boat fire at a Salmon Arm beach

The local fire department sent one fire engine, a marine rescue boat as well as a safety officer and 10-member command unit.

Police arrived when firefighters were already on scene, according to an RCMP press release.

The registered owner told officers that his motor could be heard running at 1 a.m. and would not shut off. He tried to kill the engine by pulling on fuses, but when that didn’t work he gave up and went back to bed. He woke up to find the boat on fire.

“A fire like this creates a lot of smoke which can be seen from far away causing concerns for many residents in our community," RCMP Const. Mike Della-Paolera said in the release. "The quick response by the Kelowna Fire Service eased those concerns."

As crews were putting the fire out, the dock and lift collapsed. Fortunately no one was injured.

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