Vamps battle boat fire on Great South Bay

Photo by Joe Turner A cooperative effort between Amityville, Lindenhurst and Copiague firefighters, the U.S. Coast Guard and Town of Babylon Bay Constables resulted in extinguishing a midday boat fire on July 18 within minutes with no injuries reported.

Theboat was observed in flames at the Ocean Avenue dock in Amityville. Two occupants had safely bailed out and were picked up, but the boat continued on the water past the Amityville Village Beach where Amityville firefighters had set up a command center. It moved east to Western Concourse in Copiague where the departments converged to attack the fire.

About 10 to 15 boaters loitered on the water near the boat, causing some initial concern to the firefighters, but they were able to get them to move back quickly. It took firefighters about 15 minutes to bring the blaze under control, but gasoline on the water reignited. After some discussion, fire officials decided it was best to allow the gasoline to burn off, said Amityville Village Fire Chief Russell Sawyer.

“It’s always great to work with Copiague and Lindenhurst,” said Sawyer. There is great cooperation between the departments, the Coast Guard and the Bay Constables.

Approximately 25 firefighters worked at the scene.