Tahoe Douglas Fire and US Coast Guard respond to call of boat on fire near Dollar Point, Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 43-year-old man was rescued from a burning boat on Lake Tahoe Monday evening.

Rescue boats on the lake, including those from the Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (TDFPD), responded to the scene near Dollar Point on the North Shore.

A 26-foot Cobalt was on fire, carrying a reported 40 gallons of fuel onboard. The man on board was rescued by a Good Samaritan prior to the arrival of the rescue boats.

“It’s unfortunate the fire escalated so quickly,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class TJ Mines, a boatswain’s mate at Station Lake Tahoe. “We’re just happy we were able to assist the owner with no injuries and that Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection arrived on scene when they did.”

The TDFPD crew arrived on scene and extinguished the fire before the vessel sank in 21-feet of water.

The cause of the fire has not been released.

The man who was onboard was transferred to local emergency medical services personnel with no reported injuries.

Vessel Assist has been contacted to salvage the boat.