Three motorboats went up in flames at the Outboard Boating Club on Auckland’s Tāmaki Dr overnight in a blaze firefighters are treating as suspicious. 

A Fire and Emergency spokesman said they were called to the club, near Hobson Bay, about 9.28pm. 

Firefighters responded to suspicious boat fires at the Outboard Boating Club on Tamaki Drive around 9.28 PM. Photo / Supplied 

A witness driving past who pulled over to call 111 when she saw the fire told the Herald she and her partner were scared to get too close should the fuel in the boats ignite and explode. 

“We were scared. It was quite hot,” she said. 

A Fire and Emergency spokesman said firefighters arrived to find three boats on land on fire. Photo / Supplied 

“Three boats were on fire on the hardstand when we arrived. 

“A fire engine arrived shortly after and stopped it from spreading. There was no one else at OBC except us and the security guard until the fire brigade showed up,” she said. 

Firefighters extinguished a fire involving boats at the Outboard Boating Club on Tamaki Drive, Auckland. Photo / Hayden Woodward 

A Fire and Emergency spokesman said firefighters arrived to find three boats on land on fire. 

“We ... extinguished them, and a fire investigator [attended]. 

“It has been deemed suspicious.” 

The Herald has approached police for comment. 

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.