Five boats damaged as yacht blaze spreads at Ramsgate harbour

The blaze at the harbour Photo Thomas James Reeves

Five boats in Ramsgate harbour were damaged in a blaze during the early hours of this morning (July 27).

Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called to a fire involving two yachts in the east side of the inner marina in Ramsgate at 1.38am.

Five fire engines were called to the scene. Crews arrived to find the two vessels well alight. Firefighters worked together with Kent Police, ambulance and Ramsgate RNLI to manage the incident.

Crews used breathing apparatus, compressed air foam system, hose reel jet and a covering jet to extinguish the fire.

Photo Mark Stanford

The blaze left one yacht severely damaged and listing in the water and the second yacht sank. Three other vessels were damaged by fire and radiated heat.

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All people were accounted for with one man managing to get to safety and one female treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics.

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A South East Coast Ambulance service spokesman said: “We attended a boat fire in Harbour Parade, Ramsgate in the early hours of this morning. One patient was assessed and treated at the scene.”

The cause of the fire isn’t yet known at this stage but Kent Police say it is not being treated as suspicious.

Crews made the scene safe by 3.40am.