It’s been a busy day for the Bay Roberts and Bay de Grave fire departments as they battle a blaze onboard the fishing boat the Arctic Pride in Port de Grave Harbour.

Thick, black, toxic smoke was seen billowing from the vessel, and part of area has been closed to traffic while officials attend to the scene.

Don Morgan with the Port de Grave Harbour Authority says it all started around 6:00 a.m. when an alarm sounded and smoke was seen coming from the vessel.

He says from what he can see, the boat is destroyed.

Morgan says part of the difficulty presented by the fire is the fact that there are no hydrants in the area, so members of the Bay Roberts and Bay de Grave fire departments had to transport water to the pumper truck on scene.

Bay Roberts Fire Chief Doug Mercer says it’s proven to be a stubborn fire.

He says there are paramedics on scene and the situation is under control.

He says fishing vessels present a number of challenges, including the fact that they’re full of fuel. Mercer expects to have the fire knocked down by early evening.