ISLAND fire crews from Bembridge and Ryde were called to a beached motor cruiser on the St Helens side of Bembridge Harbour on Wednesday (September 1) after the boat’s engine caught fire.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus managed to contain the blaze to the front of the boat using two high-pressure hose reels.

There were concerns that the boat may explode into a fireball, as there was other fuel stored onboard.

A forklift tractor was called on from a nearby company to help stabilize the boat to enable fire crew to fight the blaze.

An Environment Agency spokesman praised the swift work of boatyard staff and firefighters in placing an inflatable boom across the water to prevent pollution from the fire. No one was hurt.