The cause of the fire that destroyed the Coast Guard boathouse and surrounding pier in Menemsha last July is unknown, a Coast Guard investigative team concluded in a report released early Wednesday afternoon. The cause may have been a lit cigarette left on the pier, or it may have been faulty wiring either in the boathouse or in the pier, the report found. “After completing all reasonable and logical leads . . . the cause of the fire is undetermined at this time,” the report concludes.

The July 12 fire forced the evacuation of the village of Menemsha on a busy midsummer day; a number of boats also burned in the fire which drew every firefighter on the Island to the scene. There were no injuries save one firefighter who was injured during cleanup.

A joint team of investigators briefed Capt. Verne Gifford, commander of Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England, on their findings on Wednesday afternoon at station Menemsha. The briefing session was closed to the press and public.

A press release and the report are posted on the Coast Guard First District Web site at uscgnewengland.com .

A complete story about the Coast Guard report and the investigation will appear in the Friday Gazette.