A commercial fishing vessel left dockside in Fort Bragg’s Noyo Harbor on Wednesday evening was found ablaze early Thursday, leaving its skipper facing severe financial hardship.

The cause of the fire, discovered around 6:45 a.m. by Harbor Master Jere Kleinbach, remained under investigation, but there was suspicion it may have been ignited by someone seeking refuge from the cold overnight.

Kleinbach said the cabin of the 36-foot Blue Northern was “pretty well gutted,” though flames were confined to the cabin and neighboring boats were spared.

“The cabin is destroyed, all the electronics are lost,” said Keith Olson, owner of the vessel for three decades. “Major loss.”

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