Boat catches fire, sinks in Vancouver’s False Creek

A 55-foot boat caught fire in Vancouver's False Creek Monday night. (X.com / @alison_knill)

Canadian Coast Guard crews are assessing the environmental impact after a 55-foot boat caught fire and sank in Vancouver’s False Creek late Monday night.

B.C. Emergency Health Services said it was called to the blaze at a marina in the 700 block of Pacific Boulevard at 11:54 p.m.

One ambulance with primary care paramedics was dispatched, but there were no patients requiring treatment or transportation, BCEHS said in an email to CTV News.

Vancouver Fire Rescue Services said no one was aboard the vessel at the time of the blaze.

The Coast Guard told CTV News it dispatched two vessels – CCGC Laredo Sound and CCG Fast Rescue Craft Kitsilano 1 – to assist the VFRS fire boat in responding to the fire.

“The fire is extinguished and the vessel has sunk,” the Coast Guard said. “An unknown volume of diesel fuel was onboard the vessel, it’s not known how much of the fuel may have been consumed in the fire.”

Crews remained on scene Tuesday to conduct an environmental assessment and “deploy containment measures, as necessary.”

“Canada follows the ‘polluter pay principle,’” the Coast Guard added. “Vessel owners are responsible for taking the appropriate measures to address any risks or hazards posed by their vessel, as well as the associated costs. This includes any hazard-related costs like cleanup or repairs and any remediation action taken by the Canadian Coast Guard.”