Two jump from boat on fire in Ches. Bay

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - A 10 On Your Side viewer captured a dramatic rescue on video when a kayaker saved a Newport News couple from a burning boat Friday night.

The couple were in a 25-foot recreational boat when the engine sparked flames, according to a spokesman from the Virginia Marine Resource Commission. It happened Friday night in the Chesapeake Bay, near the old Wythe section of Hampton.

"Out of nowhere, the cover that covers the engine of the boat busted off with an extremely loud boom and flew into the middle of the boat," said Richard Massengill, who was on board.

In the viewer video, you can hear Massengill and his girlfriend Laura Clark calling for help. The two had time to call 911 but did not have time to grab life jackets below deck.

For 20 minutes they swam in the Chesapeake Bay, wondering when help would arrive, or if it ever would.

"I was just treading water with my right hand and then I had him in my left," said Clark. "We made it work. I had to keep talking to him saying, 'Stay with me, don't give up.'"

"I honestly thought I was going to die and my father actually drowned on a fishing trip on top of all of this," said Massengill.

A kayaker saw the two boaters jump into the water. Thanks to quick thinking, the kayaker threw a boogie board out to them. The board kept them afloat until help arrived five minutes later.

"He was really clear to us when he got close," said Clark. "[He said] there's a boogie board on the back please don't grab the boat."

The boogie board kept them afloat until a police boat arrived. The couple wants to tell the kayaker how grateful they are, except they didn't get his name.

"He wouldn't tell me his name, he just said 'You're welcome,' and just left," said Massengill. "But I really want to thank him and I still got his boogie board."

The VMRC spokesperson says the fire was accidental.

The owner of the boat is from Newport News. He purchased the boat just days before the fire and does not have insurance.

The burned boat is tied to a post on the beach. The owner is not sure how he will move it and is asking for the public's help.