Five rescued in sailboat fire on English Bay

VANCOUVER — Five people were rescued after fire swept through a sailboat in English Bay on Wednesday.

Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services spokesman Jonathan Gormick said the fire aboard the nine-metre boat was reported at 4:27 p.m. and that both of their fire boats were dispatched to the scene.

There were no injuries, Gormick said.

He said the boat was destroyed in the fire.

The cause is under investigation, but Gormick said it is believed to have started due to an accident.

Photos from the scene showed a plume of grey smoke rising into the air from the fully engulfed vessel.

The Canadian Coast Guard also attended, Gormick said.