Lucky escape from boat blaze

THREE men had a lucky escape last night after fire ripped through their boat in Cork Harbour.

The men were aboard a 21ft angling boat, the Jem, and were fishing in the Dog Nose Bank area, near Camden Fort, when the fire broke out on board some time after 9pm.

It is understood that the men tried to fight the blaze before it took hold and spread through the vessel, forcing them to jump overboard.

Fortunately for them, the Crosshaven RNLI inshore lifeboat and its three-man crew was on an exercise nearby and spotted the smoke.

They were on the scene within minutes and plucked the men from the water near several pleasure craft.

A Port of Cork pilot boat tried to swamp the fire but the boat was almost completed gutted by the time the LÉ Aisling arrived on the scene and used its fire-fighting equipment to extinguish the blaze.

The boat was expected to sink in about 13 metres of water late last night close to buoy seven in one of the country’s busiest channels, raising fears that it could pose a danger to shipping.

The LÉ Aisling remained on site to monitor for pollution.

The three men were taken to Crosshaven lifeboat station, where they were examined by Dr John Murphy.

They were found to be suffering from shock and mild hypothermia but were otherwise unhurt.

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board is expected to launch an inquiry to establish the cause of the blaze.

Last night’s rescue was the second incident this week involving Crosshaven RNLI.

On Monday night, its crew rescued a stricken kite surfer who was in danger of being swept out to sea.

He spent up to an hour in the water before being saved.