Nearby vessel rescues 6-member crew after boat fire off Burin Peninsula

One of the six people onboard a fishing vessel that caught fire Thursday morning off the Burin Peninsula says they're "all very lucky" and credits a nearby boat for coming to their rescue.

Michael Clements said he had been fishing onboard the Cape Mariner and getting ready to haul the boat's gear back in.

"There was an explosion down in the engine room and flames came out and the wheelhouse filled up with smoke and we had to get off the boat," he told CBC News.

Clements said the Southern Mariner was also out fishing about five miles away and responded to the blaze.

"We thank them as much as we can, to get there and get us so quickly, " said Clements.

He said there were no injuries, which he credits to the quick rescue, but the Cape Mariner is damaged.

"There is no saving the boat, she's completely burned out," he said, adding the boat is currently out by the Grand Banks.

Clements declined to name the company that owns the boat on which the fire broke out.

A day after the rescue, he said he's "best kind."

"Just happy to be home … you can get another boat and boats can be replaced, and get back out at it again."