The Bermuda Fire Service are investigating the cause of a boat fire near the Bailey?s Bay Cricket Club which occurred on Friday night.

Lt. Dana Lovell said the Fire Service suspected someone had started the fire maliciously.

The fire was large enough to capture the attention of several neighbours who called in to report the burning boat.

At 8.15 p.m. a call was received of a large boat fire on Coney Island Road, Hamilton Parish.

A 16-foot derelict boat, located at the eastern edge of the cricket pitch was engulfed in flames.

Two fire-fighters in breathing apparatus battled the blaze and by 8.34 p.m. the fire had been brought under control. The boat was completely destroyed.