MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Massive fire destroys 14 boats at Seattle storage facility

Jul 5, 2013, 4:15 AM | Updated: 1:00 pm

A fire Thursday night destroyed 14 boats at a storage facility on Northlake Way in Seattle on Lake ...

A fire Thursday night destroyed 14 boats at a storage facility on Northlake Way in Seattle on Lake Union. (Alec Watson photo)

(Alec Watson photo)

Smoke from a massive Lake Union boatyard fire is seen from I-5 in Seattle Thursday night. (Erynn Rose/KIRO Radio photo) A fire believed set by fireworks destroyed 14 boats and damaged several others Thursday night. Damage is estimated at $1.5 million. A fire believed set by fireworks destroyed 14 boats and damaged several others Thursday night. Damage is estimated at $1.5 million. A fire believed set by fireworks destroyed 14 boats and damaged several others Thursday night. Damage is estimated at $1.5 million. A passerby takes a photo, Friday, July 5, 2013 of some of the 14 boats that were damaged in a late-night fire Thursday at the Lake Union Skylaunch Marina. Seattle fire investigators are blaming illegal fireworks for the blaze. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Two people walk Friday, July 5, 2013 near some of the 14 boats that were damaged in a late-night fire Thursday at the Lake Union Skylaunch Marina. Seattle fire investigators are blaming illegal fireworks for the blaze. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Illegal fireworks are being blamed for a massive fire that destroyed 14 boats and damaged several others at a boat storage facility on the north shore of Lake Union.

Firefighters found 14 boats engulfed in flames when they arrived at the fire at Lake Union Skylaunch Marina shortly after 10 p.m. on Thursday.

“This spread quickly but with heroic effort of Seattle Boat Company staff, we have prevented a much worse potential circumstance,” said Alan Bohling, CEO, Seattle Boat Company. “We are thankful for an outstanding team who reacted professionally and quickly in this extraordinary circumstance.”

There were no reports of injuries. Damage is estimated at $1.5 million.

Authorities say the fire was under control in about 10 minutes. The cause is under investigation, but Bohling said in a news release that “we believe that an errant firework from the hillside above landed inside a Skylaunch vessel.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest News

Everett boy missing...

Frank Sumrall

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

1 hour ago

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

11 hours ago

Photo: The Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center....

James Lynch

King County’s plan to close youth detention center met with fierce backlash

The King County Law and Justice Committee received a final report on Executive Dow Constantine's plan to close a youth detention center.

12 hours ago

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

14 hours ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

14 hours ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

15 hours ago

Massive fire destroys 14 boats at Seattle storage facility