Alabama fire chief confirms deaths as fire destroys 35 boats
Source: AP
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. (AP) — Boaters leaped into the water to escape an explosive fire that consumed at least 35 vessels docked along the Tennessee River early Monday. Authorities said there were fatalities as seven people were sent to hospitals and seven others were initially reported missing.
The blaze was reported shortly after midnight as people living in the boats were sleeping, and consumed the wooden dock and an aluminum roof that covered many of the vessels, cutting off escape routes and raining debris into the water.
“There were numerous people rescued from the water who had escaped by going into the water,” Jackson County Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Rocky Harnen told The Associated Press shortly after dawn. “We’re trying to get divers down here to search for possible victims in the water.”
The fire destroyed the B dock, about 50 yards (46 meters) from the A dock where the boat of Mandy Durham and her boyfriend is moored.
A fire burns on a dock where at least 35 vessels, many of them houseboats, were destroyed by fire early Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, in Scottsboro, Ala. Scottsboro Fire Chief Gene Necklaus is confirming fatalities in a massive fire at a boat dock. (DeWayne Patterson/Jackson County Sentinel via AP)
Read more: https://apnews.com/ac62e1ab530b578093a4a96ebc709af2
= new reply since forum marked as read
One of my biggest fears is being trapped in my boat during a fire. Fortunately, my aft cabin has a hatch that opens into the cockpit, so I could get out if needed (unless the cockpit's also on fire, then I'm toast, literally). But, with all the plastic, fiberglass, chems, etc, I think smoke inhalation would kill you in under 30 seconds. 
for the victims.
On edit, the victims were likely snowbirds that retired to a boat - I know several as they come from the south every spring, up the ICW and into the lake where I keep my boat (Cayuga Lake), and head back every fall.
...circled in red:
On edit: it looks like the southern-most dock went up in flames as well, given the pic in the OP (and the placement of what looks to be a houseboat in the foreground?).
Updated 12:26 PM; Today 6:39 AM
Link: https://www.al.com/news/2020/01/7-injured-7-missing-in-north-alabama-boat-dock-fire.html
(snips)
Seven people were rescued from the water and taken to a hospital for treatment. Scottsboro Fire Chief Gene Necklaus said they weren’t seriously injured. Most were suffering symptoms of hypothermia because of the cold water conditions.
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"We woke up hearing screams and popping noises," Mandy Durham, who was with her boyfriend in a nearby boat, told The Associated Press. “When we woke up, we could see red through the window.”
“Within 15 to 20 minutes, the whole dock was in flames,” she added. "All these boats have propane tanks and gas tanks, and that’s a lot of fire.”
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Authorities said they believe 35 boats were destroyed. Multiple boats sunk, and crews are still working to pull them from the water. It could take several days to complete the cleanup, Necklaus said. As crews remove debris from the water, they will check for additional victims, the chief said.
The cause of the fire is unknown. Necklaus said his department and local police will work with the State Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate the cause.
It appears this was a disaster waiting to happen. People living on the boats with propane tanks for heat and cooking, plus gasoline for the boat engines. It's likely there are no frequent inspections by a fire martial out in the country.
RIP to the deceased and speedy recovery to those injured.........
