PORT ANGELES — A fire destroyed a boat early Tuesday morning.
A propane heater was the likely cause of the fire, which had completely engulfed the 32-foot pleasure boat, stored at the owner’s home on Cedar Mill Road south of Port Angeles, when firefighters arrived, said Clallam County Fire District No. 2 Chief Jon Bugher.
“The hull is left, but the boat is a total loss,” he said.
The fire was reported at 12:52 a.m. Firefighters extinguished it about 10 to 15 minutes after they arrived.
Bugher said the owner, James Keechne, left the propane heater on to heat the cabin space, but he didn’t know for what purpose, since the boat wasn’t to be used.
“He was keeping it warm is all I know,” he said.
The burning fiberglass emitted toxic smoke, but Bugher said firefighters didn’t need any additional safety equipment.
The fire didn’t threaten any buildings or vehicles.
The Port Angeles Fire Department and Clallam County Sheriff’s Office personnel assisted.
Bugher said the fire should be a lesson to anyone who uses such heaters.
“You never leave an open flame heating device unattended,” he said. “And you always use them in a ventilated space.”
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
