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A fire onboard a boat near Steveston Channel, off the shores of Shady Island, Saturday evening injured two and resulted in a first alarm response from Richmond Fire-Rescue, in the midst of the Richmond Maritime Festival.
The boat caught fire at about 6 p.m. after its battery exploded and ignited the fuel line, according to Kevin Gray, a deputy fire chief for the fire department.
The incident resulted in two people suffering from burns. One was self-transported to the hospital and another was taken by BC Ambulance Services.
Gray said the injuries were second-degree burns but overall they were "nothing serious."
The blaze was subdued by firefighters who climbed aboard another boat to reach the 26-foot aluminium vessel. Gray did not have information as to whether or not it was a civilian vessel the firefighters boarded to access the burning boat.
Reports on social media indicated the Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft was on the scene.
The incident was closed by RFR at 7:15 p.m., said Gray, after six department vehicles, including four trucks, attended the scene, at the south end of No. 2 Road.
"Because of the Maritime Festival we took extra precautions," said Gray, who said the firefighters got to the boat "quickly."
The rescue call came after people reported smoke coming from Shady Island.
Fishing boat is on fire on the Fraser near Steveston. Three people on board
— News1130 (@News1130radio) August 10, 2014
Two injured from boat fire during #RichmondBC Maritime Festival http://t.co/P0Bzm4eKCl
— Graeme Wood (@WestcoastWood) August 10, 2014
@WestcoastWood
gwood@richmond-news.com
