Ten boats destroyed off Mandeville Island in blaze

By Laura Dudnick

August 22, 2007

U.S. Coast Guard officials were searching 10 vessels off Mandeville Island east of Antioch that caught fire this morning for anybody who might have been onboard one of the boats that went up in flames.

The man who owns the 10 charred boats, as well as two more boats that escaped the flames, reportedly was on one of the boats when it ignited and remained on the vessel while it burned, despite attempts to rescue him, Coast Guard Lt. Anya Hunter said.

"(The owner didn't) want to leave his boat," Hunter said. The man was eventually picked up by a friend and taken safely to land. "We want to talk to him so we can figure out what caused the fires," Hunter said.

Once the man was ashore, the Coast Guard was unable to battle the flames due to lack of proper resources, Hunter said. The local fire department did not respond to the blaze since the area was out of the fire department's jurisdiction, according to Hunter.

The flames that engulfed 10 vessels have subsided, but not before destroying the various types of boats, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The 10 ships ranging from houseboats, to tug boats, sailboats and barges were tied closely together and were very near land when they caught fire around 7:15 a.m., Hunter said.

A helicopter was used to obtain a better view of the flames, and Hunter said Coast Guard officials reported that the majority of the boats are completely burned.

The Coast Guard is also inspecting the area for damage, according to Hunter.

"Right now we're (also) looking to see if there's any damages to the environment, primarily if there's any diesel fuel onboard and if any of that is going to be leaking," Hunter added.

The estimated cost of damage was not immediately available.

Copyright © 2007 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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