Smoke over Skull Creek as a Hilton Head Island shrimp boat catches fire
Hilton Head Island Fire and Rescue firefighters were kept busy Tuesday after a shrimp boat caught fire behind Hudson’s Seafood Restaurant.
The boat took on water and leaked fuel into the waterway, fire department spokeswoman Joheida Fister said.
The fire was reported around 6:30 a.m., and firefighters arrived to find a fire in the boat’s engine room, Fister said.
Flames damaged the engine room and much of the shrimp hold area on the boat, which was docked behind the restaurant.
No injuries were reported, and the restaurant was not damaged.
Five engine companies, three medic units, a truck company, a hazmat team, the battalion chief and various officers responded to the fire.
The U.S. Coast Guard, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control were notified about the flames.
The Coast Guard remained at the scene to monitor the cleanup of fuel in the waterway.
The fire appears accidental in nature and originated in the boat’s engine room, Fister said.
The fire will be investigated.
Caitlin Turner: 843-706-8184, @Cait_E_Turner
This story was originally published July 26, 2017 at 7:31 AM with the headline "Smoke over Skull Creek as a Hilton Head Island shrimp boat catches fire."