Firefighters are investigating whether there was a drug lab aboard the boat that caught fire in False Creek on Friday, leaving one man in hospital with burns.

The Coast Guard, police and firefighters responded after the craft went up in flames not far from Science World around noon.

Two men were rescued, one of whom was unharmed.

The extent of the other man’s injuries hasn’t been confirmed, but witnesses said he appeared seriously hurt when he was taken to safety.

Authorities said the sailboat was uninsured and ownerless, making it what's known as a "pirate boat."

Firefighters said a large number of needles were found on the craft, and investigators are trying to determine if drugs were being made onboard.

“That will be part of the investigation," Battalion Chief Rod MacDonald said. "Right now we’re in the preliminary stages of that.”

It’s so far unclear why the blaze broke out.

The charred boat was completely destroyed by the time crews managed to tow it to shore.