Three boats were left badly damaged after an overnight blaze tore through vessels stored near the seafront, with police informed after the fire was believed to have been started deliberately.
Fire crews from Dawlish and Teignmouth were called to Boat Cove, Dawlish, shortly before 3.30am after Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service received a report from a member of the public of a fire near the toilets.
As firefighters travelled along Marine Parade, crews could already see a large glow and flames in the distance.
The officer in charge requested a second fire engine, with Teignmouth Fire Station sent to assist.
Once at the scene, firefighters laid out hoses to reach the blaze because of the distance between where the appliance could be parked and the fire itself. Crews used both 70mm and 45mm hose.
It was then established that the fire involved three small private boats on hard standing and was spreading towards other nearby boats.
Using an attack line, crews worked to stop the flames spreading any further. After the fire had been put out, firefighters checked the area for hotspots with a thermal imaging camera.
Three boats were severely damaged by fire, while a fourth boat suffered slight heat damage.
The cause of the fire is believed to have been deliberate and police were informed.
