A fire broke out on a boat docked at the Marineland Marina late this afternoon, and soon spread to a second boat docked nearby, with firefighters battling to contain the blazes.
Flagler County Fire Chief Don Petito said at least two people were on board a 26-foot sailboat, watching television, when they noticed the electrical connection from land getting red-hot. But by then the fire had already broken out on their boat. There were no injuries.
Word of a fire was first reported to 911 around 5:50 p.m. Firefighters from Station 21 reported to the scene, but Petito said the fire then spread to a 30-foot cabin cruiser docked near the sailboat. “They’re both on fire right now,” he said a little after 7 p.m., with still more units arriving.
The fire chief said a sea breeze was not helping. The marina was full this afternoon.
It is at least the third boat fire in less than two months in the region. On June 20, a 40-ft trawler caught fire as it was nearing Flagler Beach on the Intracoastal, after beginning a journey south on the St. Johns River. The boat was abandoned at the Moody Boat Launch under the Flagler Beach bridge. Two weeks later, four people were rescued off a boat in the Intracoastal near the Matanzas inlet. No one was injured in either fire. A passing boat rescued the passengers.
Flatsflyer says
Get ready for an appearance before the Board, we need a fireboat, make that four please a d don’t forget to throw in new waterfront stations to house the boats. North county, mid county and south county. Throw in one on the laes out west.
Willy Boy says
Abandoned at Moody, and soon to be permanent fixture.
Mayor of Marineland says
Actually the team from station 41 in the hammock was the first to arrive and they did a superb job of controlling the situation. Within minutes, trucks from St. John’s county and Palm Coast fire rescue were on the scene to support the team from station 41. It was a a beautiful example of inter-agency cooperation and I am grateful for their hard work and dedication.
Hoseman says
Why not install a small tower on the Marina that has 2 Gun Hoses that will blast saltwater out of them at a distance of 50yds ?
Concerned Citizen says
@ Flastflyer
You actually bring up a good point.
This county sees a large amount of boat traffic. Especially with Bings Landing. If The Sheriff’s Office has a marine unit why doesn’t Fire Rescue? Surely one could be obtained with grant money? And then co house it with the SO if need be or dedicate something at a Marina to both units.
Providing adequate emergency services is something our BOCC struggles with yearly. Fire Flight only flies a 12 hour day due to budget cuts years ago. Yet they will over pay County Administrators and illegally double dipping assistants. What would happen if they changed their financial priorities and actually started doing the right thing?
Maybe we need to start pushing for chang since elections are coming up Flagler County needs to be a little more self supportive in it’s Emergency Services capabilities.