Boat catches fire near Block Island

NEW SHOREHAM, R.I. (WLNE) — A 38-foot vessel caught fire Friday afternoon near Block Island.

The  fire happened just before 1 p.m., one nautical mile west of the island.

“The fire was initially extinguished by the operator before they were assisted by a Good Samaritan off of the vessel,” the U.S. Coast Guard wrote on Twitter.

However, the Narragansett and Newport fire departments helped put out the flames after it rehashed. It took them about 15 minutes to knock down the fire.

The boat sustained substantial damage and was towed back to Point Judith.

No injuries were reported.