Lightning Strikes 2 Boats On Cape Cod, Sets 1 On Fire

WAREHAM, MA — A lightning strike damaged two boats at the same time on Tuesday evening, according to local officials. One Cape Cod fishing vessel caught on fire as a result.

The Wareham Department of Natural Resources said Wareham and Onset emergency services responded to the area of Onset Harbor for a sailboat that was struck by lightning with a single person on board around 6:30 p.m.

While officials were on the way to that boat, Onset Fire Incident Command stationed on the pier was alerted to a commercial charter fishing boat tied to Onset Pier with smoke coming from the cabin. It was determined to be an active fire onboard the vessel.

At that point, decisions were made about which scene to go to first.

The sailboat wasn't taking on water, meaning officials from the Wareham Department of Natural Resources could help the fishing boat while Onset fire officials were also dealing with the blaze.

Onset Fire was able to control the fire incident onboard the fishing vessel and WDNR then returned to assist TowboatUS with securing the damaged sailing vessel, officials said.

The sailboat was brought to the Onset pier for assessment by fire officials, and it was turned over to a commercial tow provider, officials said.

No one was injured in either incident.