Fatal Boat Fire in Cape Vincent

On July 12, 2023, at approximately 9:49 a.m., Cape Vincent Fire and Ambulance were dispatched along with mutual aid from Chaumont and Clayton Fire Departments to the area of Ponds Marina, off County Route 6, in the town of Cape Vincent for a report of a boat fire.

When the Cape Vincent Fire Department arrived on scene, they discovered a 1979 Regal Marine 20-foot boat fully engulfed in fire; a person later identified as 82-year-old Robert F. Pitcher, of Three Mile Bay, the owner of the boat was found deceased in the water.

The boat fire was extinguished by members of the Cape Vincent Fire Department.

The cause of the boat fire and the death of Mr. Pitcher are still under investigation by the New York State Police.

The New York State Police was assisted at the scene by Cape Vincent Fire and Ambulance, the Jefferson County Fire and Emergency Management Fire Origin and Cause Team, the Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office, and staff of Ponds Marina.