Drivers on their morning commute came upon something unusual along North Bailey Road in Jackson Township early Thursday.

Dispatchers received several calls around 7 a.m. about a burning boat along the side of the road just north of Interstate 76.

Austintown firefighters put the fire out, preventing the flames from spreading to nearby brush.

North Jackson Police, who were also on the scene, say the boat had been along the side of the road since early August.

Police aren’t certain how the the24-foot boat got there, speculating that it may have been dragged there by someone clearing the property.

Investigators are trying to find out how the fire started.