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Story updated Friday April 18 11:25am

T

he fire that burned two boats at Sea Harbour Yacht Club Tuesday may be linked to the battery compartment of one of them, the Hunter 35.5, “Third Party”. But that is not yet certain.

Oriental Police Chief Jeff Casassa says Pamlico Fire Marshall David Spruill believes the source of the fire was the battery compartment of the Hunter, “Third Party” – and that the fire spread from there to the adjoining Catalina “Pressando”.

But speaking to SBI Investigator Phillip Wynn this morning the conclusion seemed less certain – Agent Wynn states the cause is still undetermined. He adds the battery as a source of the fire is “one of the theories”, and that the SBI is “putting the word out to news organizations to see if anyone has any leads”. Individuals that have any information pertaining to the fire can call Agent Phillip Wynn at 252-504-7823.

Digging for clues. SBI Agent Phillip Wynn and Pamlico Fire Marshall David Spruill on board the burned Hunter 35.5, “Third Party” Thursday afternoon.

On left is the hull of “Pressando”. On right, the sailboat, “Third Party” where investigators were focusing their efforts to find where Tuesday’s fire started.

Agent Wynn spent part of Thursday at Deaton’s boat yard where the boats had been brought after the Tuesday fire. The investigator also paid a visit to the Sea Harbour slips where the boats had burned to their waterlines.

The search involved a lot of sorting through burned remains of the boat.

Pamlico Fire Marshall David Spruill had earlier concluded that the fire started on the Hunter. He called in the SBI to investigate because the Hunter had not been plugged in to shore power at the time of the fire, leaving a question mark as it what had sparked the blaze. With several insurance companies involved in settling claims, the additional investigation was launched.

SBI Agent Phillip Wynn searching for the battery on the burned boat, “Third Party” on Thursday.

The fire marshall and the SBI agent spent late Thursday afternoon sifting — and literally shoveling — through the blackened interior of the Hunter, searching for the battery. Shreds of fiberglass drifted in the air, along with the lingering smell of the fire. An inverter and other gear were found in the aft end of the boat and there was some discussion as to where the bilge pump may have been.

SBI Agent Phillip Wynn and Pamlico Fire Marshall David Spruill on board the Hunter 35.5, “Third Party”. In foreground is Oriental Police Chief Jeff Casassa.

After poring over the charred Hunter, Fire Marshall Spruill said that while they might not be able to say exactly what caused the blaze, they could eliminate some things.

The investigation remains open.

Not everything burned. A chart book that had been tucked away on the starboard side of the boat. It was removed and laid on the ground outside, along with the melted whisker pole.

Posted Friday April 17, 2009 by Melinda Penkava