Leisure boat sinks after fire in Hvaler

A 62-foot leisure boat caught fire and sank off Hvaler on Wednesday evening, Dagbladet reports.

A man in his 40s from Lillestrøm was aboard when the fire started. He told police white smoke was first seen coming from the engine room, and flames erupted when the door was opened, according to operations manager Henrik Larsen.

The man managed to anchor the boat and, with help from passersby, reached shore. Rescue vessels, a fireboat, and a police boat responded at sea, while an ambulance and police patrol were on land.

By 8 p.m., operations manager Kent Bele confirmed the boat had sunk. Police have not yet determined the cause or origin of the fire.