Boat fire on Harbor Island was accidental
Investigators have determined that this morning's fire at Jim Clark marina was accidental – caused by an explosion when a fuel vapor in the bilge of a 36-foot wooden motor boat was ignited by a spark from the boat's electrical equipment.
The fire burned three boats and three house boats, causing $200,000 in damages, according to the Seattle Fire Department.
Randy Chase lives nearby and said he heard a "huge explosion" about 4 a.m. before 20-foot-high flames engulfed one of the boats.
Firefighters untied the boat to prevent the flames from spreading, and they doused the area with foam and water.
"They knocked it down quick. I was expecting to see more damage," Chase said.
Fire Department spokeswoman Helen Fitzpatrick says one boat sank, one burned to the water line and the third has damage to the exterior. One of the boat houses completely collapsed and the other two were damaged on the exterior.
No one was injured, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.