A small boat fire in Bayville was extinguished almost as quickly as it began.

A report of the fire was received by the Boothbay Harbor Fire Department between 11:35 to 11:40 a.m. on May 31.

“It was a very small fire that had been put out before we arrived,” Fire Chief Nick Upham said. “We used the thermal imager in the cockpit where the fire originated to be sure it was out and it looked good. There was very little damage.

“We put a little more water on it and left at noon,” Upham said.

Upham did not know the name of the caller or the name of the individual working on the boat at the time of the fire. The owner of the boat, who resides at 40 Virginia Avenue, was not at home.

The fire ignited behind the gauges in the wiring that connects to the engine. Upham said a mouse could have been in there and chewed the wire, or it got too hot and the insulation was melted off.

The fire department arrived with two trucks and were joined by the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service and Boothbay Harbor Police Department.

“We came prepared because the caller said there were residences near the boat,” Upham said. “It's always better to be prepared.”