A 20-foot boat anchored in Cadboro Bay near the Royal Victoria Yacht Club went up in flames Tuesday morning.
There were no injuries or damages to other vessels in the area as the pleasure craft burned to the waterline and was still smouldering by noon.
First responders were keeping the public and residents away from the beach area around the fire.
Oak Bay Fire assistant chief Jason Joynson said the fire was reported by an off-duty firefighter on his way home early Tuesday. He saw smoke rising from the water in the 3500 block of Beach Drive and called the fire in on his cellphone.
Saanich and Oak Bay fire departments both responded, but could not access the boat, which was anchored close to shore in a receding tide.
“We checked to see if there was anyone on board or on the shore and it was determined there was no threat to any other boats,” said Joynson.
He said the coast guard was also alerted to the blaze and arrived with an environmental assessment team, which placed a boom around the sinking boat to catch any contaminants.
Joynson said the coast guard will determine if any wreckage will be removed from the water.
Oak Bay Police are investigating the cause of the fire and have been in contact with the boat’s owner, said Joynson.
