NSW man forced to flee as boat catches fire and sinks on Lake Macquarie

A man has escaped unharmed after a 35-foot boat on which he was aboard caught on fire in the NSW Hunter region.

The 60-year-old spotted flames on the vessel, which was approximately 50m into Lake Macquarie, around 8.30pm yesterday.

He fled on an attached safety boat and suffered minor injuries but did not require treatment.

Firefighters extinguished the fire but the boat sunk underwater.

Police do not believe the fire was not deliberately lit.

Marine rescue officers are expected to recover the boat this morning.

With AAP.