British Columbia

Whale watcher saves 2 people and dog from boat fire

Two people and their dog have been rescued by a whale watching boat, after their own vessel was engulfed in flames near Active Pass in B.C.'s Southern Gulf Islands.

Vessel was engulfed in flames near Active Pass in B.C.'s Southern Gulf Islands

The vessel was engulfed in flames near Active Pass in B.C.'s Southern Gulf Islands, between Mayne and Galiano islands. (Ryan Windsor)

Two people and their dog have been rescued by a whale watching boat, after their own vessel was engulfed in flames near Active Pass in B.C.'s Southern Gulf Islands.

The fire happened aboard a 15-metre pleasure boat in the waters between Mayne and Galiano islands, where thick black smoke could be seen billowing from the vessel.

Coast guard officer Darren Morely says the two boaters got into a dingy with their dog and paddled away from the burning boat.

Morely says several nearby vessels, including a whale watching boat, participated in the rescue.

He says there were no reported injuries, but an RCMP boat took the pair to a nearby clinic as a precaution.

Morely said coast guard vessels remained at the scene to watch the boat burn.

GOOGLE MAP: Active Pass, B.C.


 

With files from Canadian Press