Dramatic moment yacht is engulfed by flames as couple, aged 64 and 53, escape with their lives…and their Jack Russell Charlie
- A couple woke to noises early this morning, before escaping on their tender
- The man, 64, and woman, 53 and their dog escaped without physical injury
- Police were alerted at 5.30am and emergency services put the fire out
- Cause of the fire is not considered suspicious and investigations are continuing
A couple and their pet dog are lucky to be alive after their yacht became engulfed in flames on Friday morning.
The 64-year-old man and 53-year-old woman woke early this morning after hearing noises and found their boat was on fire.
They managed to escape the burning yacht with their pet Jack Russell Charlie.
Authorities were alerted to the burning 15-metre yacht, located in the waters off Queensland’s Moreton Island, at 5.30am.
Police and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services managed to extinguish the fire.
Dramatic video of the burning yacht was released by Queensland Police on Friday.
The couple was assessed for smoke inhalation by paramedics at the Port of Brisbane.
Acting Senior Sergeant Daniel Moyle said the pair were lucky to escape unharmed, but police were still unsure what caused the fire, the ABC reported.
‘Because they were very well prepared and they knew their vessel, they got off the ship very quickly and effectively and it potentially saved their lives,’ Senior Sergeant Moyle said.
‘They heard some noises, and got up to see lights in the kitchen area and they immediately evacuated the ship to a tender and went to a nearby yacht to raise the alarm.
The 64-year-old man and 53-year-old woman managed to escape the burning yacht on their tender boat off Queensland’s Moreton Island
Authorities were alerted to the burning boat on the south-west side of the island off the coast of Queensland just after 5:30am
The 15-metre yacht – which the Victorian couple lived on with their dog – was well alight when water police arrived
Sergeant Moyle said the couple were distressed and upset, but are coping well.
The cause of the fire is not considered suspicious and investigations are continuing.
Acting Senior Sergeant Jay Bairstow, Officer in Charge Brisbane Water Police said with Easter coming up, those at the helm should be well-prepared.
Police are urging anyone going out on the water to let people know their travel details so friends and family know where they are and when they are expected to return.
The couple’s Jack Russell Charlie escaped without any injury after the yacht fire on Friday morning