The Coast Guard was alerted to a boat fire Thursday off the coast of Hog Island on Thursday afternoon.

At approximately 3 p.m., a good Samaritan called Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England watchstanders to report a boat engulfed in flames near the shore of Hog Island.

Shortly after, Station Castle Hill immediately launched a 45-foot response boat crew and arrived on scene at about 3:30 p.m. and established a safety perimeter.

Narragansett Bay Marine Task Force responded to the scene with teams aboard three fire boats, including a North Kingstown fire boat crew who extinguished the blaze.

There people were reported to have been on the vessel, but local officials later verified they were on shore.No injuries were reported.

The Coast Guard is inspecting the scene for potential pollution and ensuring the safety of nearby mariners.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...