A fire in the engine room of the Lorena Sternwheeler added some unplanned excitement to the end of a daycare field trip early Tuesday afternoon.

The fire began as the boat was coming in to dock.

The eight children and three adults aboard safely evacuated the sternwheeler as fire crews from Zanesville took their place on the boat to put out the fire.

“It was basically just an exhaust fire, so we cut away the insulation, cooled down the pipe,” said Interim Fire Chief Doug Hobson. “There was some flames when we got here, but the Lorena did a great job as far as using their fire extinguisher training that they’ve been put through.”

Hobson said the Lorena sustained minimal damage, which was contained to the engine compartment.

“Other than just the powder all over the engine room, which is fairly simple to clean up, I don’t believe there is any damage at this time,” said Hobson.

Hobson said he believes the Lorena will be up and running again soon.