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Man Battles Yacht Blaze Until Firefighters Can Finish Off Job In Newburyport

A nearby boat owner at an Essex County yacht club helped keep a blaze at bay until firefighters could arrive, officials said. 

A firefighter surveys damage to a 42-foot Wesmac Trawler that caught fire at the Newburyport Yacht Club on Sunday night.

A firefighter surveys damage to a 42-foot Wesmac Trawler that caught fire at the Newburyport Yacht Club on Sunday night.

Photo Credit: Newburyport Fire Department

A 42-foot yacht at the Newburyport Yacht Club, located at 300 Merrimack Street, caught on fire before 10:20 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 20, according to the Newburyport Fire Department. The owner of another boat noticed the fire and called 911 before taking the initiative and grabbing a fire extinguisher to help battle back the blaze. 

The volunteer's work helped slow the spread of the fire until firefighters arrived and extinguished the blaze in about 10 minutes. 

The man's work prevented what could have been a much bigger fire, officials say. Damage was mostly contained to the yacht's pilot house. 

“I want to commend the other boat owner who not only alerted our Department to this fire but who also grabbed a fire extinguisher and helped to keep this blaze contained as our companies responded,” said Fire Chief Stephen Bradbury. “This could have been a much worse fire if he hadn’t intervened.”

No one was injured in the fire caused by electrical conditions. It is under investigation by the Newburyport Fire Department. 

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