On January 6, 1989 at 0242 hours, a fire call was received by Cecil County fire headquarters from a citizen who resided at Hack's Point, Maryland, some three-quarters of a mile across the Bohemia River from the' Bohemia Bay Marina. The caller told the dispatcher that he thought there was a fire at one of the marinas across the river but that he was unable to identify the particular marina involved due to snowfall which caused poor visibility.
Fire headquarters transferred the call to the northeast station of the Maryland State Police some 18 miles from the marina area, requesting that a unit be sent to the Bohemia Bay area to evaluate the situation. A police officer was dispatched at 0242 and roughly a half hour later he arrived at the Bohemia Vista Marina on Town Point Road, adjacent to the Bohemia Bay area, where he began an investigation. He detected smoke but was unable to locate the fire.
After several minutes of searching the entire Bohemia Vista Marina area, he drove approximately one mile to the Bohemia Bay Marina, arriving at approximately 0327. He located the fire and radioed headquarters that at least ten boats were on fire. He requested the dispatcher send fire fighting equipment immediately.
At 0344, the Chesapeake City Fire Chief and two other members of the Fire Department responded from their homes in private vehicles, arrived at the scene, and requested mutual aid. An engine from the Chesapeake City Fire Department was the first unit to arrive and was assigned the position of attacking the fire at slip 'F-9' so as to stop its spread toward the north of the 'F' dock area. This was accomplished by sinking a burning boat in the 'F-9' slip and creating a fire break.
By this time approximately 15 boats were ablaze and several were drifting out of their slips heading toward other boat storage areas.
As additional equipment arrived, a problem developed as to where to obtain water. There was virtually no place nearby where drafting water directly into the pumpers could be accomplished due to building construction and sloping terrain. The Chesapeake City Fire Chief ordered that two portable pumps be placed in service to supply tankers. The Hack's Point unit was assigned at the south end of 'F' dock along with its tanker. One-and-three-quarter-inch hand lines were used from all engines to control and extinguish the fire.
One boat dislodged from its moorings at 'F' dock, drifted while ablaze, and set fire to another boat located in a slip at the south end of 'E' dock. The Middle Town, Delaware units were assigned to this area. By this time considerable quantities of gasoline and diesel fuel were floating on the water. The fuel ignited and drifted toward 'C' dock. Manpower was deployed at the south end of 'D' and 'E' docks to control the fire and to afford some protection to 'C' dock.
Consideration was given to requesting that the mini-fireboat from Hack's Point be put into service, but it was determined that this was not possible due to river ice, and' there was no suitable place to launch the boat within the Marina area.
The Fire Chief in charge of the operation realized that the burning boats were a total loss. As a result, primary tactics were directed to containment of the fires and protection of exposures. This action proved to be a very wise tactical maneuver as most of the damage was confined to the boats and areas where the Fire Department was initially confronted.
The engine from Cecilton was sent to the far side of the Marina and began drafting operation at the boat launching area, approximately 1,800 feet away from the fire origin. The unit then resupplied tankers.
The fire required the use of six engines, three tankers, and 28 firefighters. It was brought under control at approximately 0500 hours. Major damage was confined to the 'F' dock structure and connecting finger piers. There were no deaths or injuries.
Next » Weather Conditions
Save to del.icio.us
