Shortly after 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Roanoke Island Volunteer Fire Department firefighters were called to a charter fishing boat fire at Wanchese Marina in the 4400 block of Mill Landing Road in Wanchese.

Firefighters removed charred cushions and burned carpet Thursday morning from the interior of Fishin Fannatic, a 50 foot charter fishing boat that caught fire while docked at Wanchese Marina on Mill Landing Road in Wanchese. The cause of the fire, which was limited to the one boat, is still under investigation. Philip S. Ruckle Jr. photo

Jimmy Bliven, assistant chief with the Roanoke Island Volunteer Fire Department, was the first to arrive and advised there was an active boat fire with other boats docked nearby. A second alarm was requested which called out additional help from other areas departments.

Firefighters applied foam and were able to contain the fire to the interior of the Fishin Fannatic, a 1977 50 foot Rose Brothers, and quickly bring it under control. Part of NC Highway 345 was shut down in order to connect pumpers to a nearby hydrant. In addition to extensive damage to the boat’s cabin and engine compartment, windows were cracked and one on the right side was broken out.

Also responding were firefighters from Manns Harbor, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, a Rehab Unit from Colington, EMS, Dare County Sheriff’s deputies and the Dare County Fire Marshal. Firefighters cleared the scene around 10 a.m.

Cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Firefighters inspect the interior of the Fishin Fannatic, a 1977 50 foot Rose Brothers charter fishing boat that caught fire around 7:30 a.m. Thursday morning at Wanchese Marina in the 4400 block of Mill Landing Road. There was extensive damage to the boat’s cabin and engine compartment. Philip S. Ruckle Jr. photo