July 1. Cornelius Police say fires behind the boat yard at 19100 W Catawba Ave. Thursday evening were intentionally set.

The fires occurred in an area behind the rear fence at the boat yard, along a heavily wooded area between the Magnolia Estates entrance to the McDowell Creek Greenway and an electric power right of way.

Arson

A partially stripped and graffitied boat was set on fire; police said “it was determined that the fires were started by an unknown suspect(s) intentionally and the case would be investigated as an arson.”

The smoke was highly visible from West Catawba. The Cornelius Lemley Fire Dept. could not be reached for comment today.

Burned boat: The day after