Two boats catch fire on Lake Tapps, spilling fuel and oil into water
Jul 6, 2026, 7:52 AM
A photo of one of the boats on fire on Lake Tapps early Sunday morning. (Photo courtesy of East Pierce Fire & Rescue)
(Photo courtesy of East Pierce Fire & Rescue)
Two boats spilled fuel and oil into Lake Tapps after catching fire over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
According to East Pierce Fire & Rescue, the boats caught fire sometime before 3:30 a.m. July 5.
“Firefighters arrived to find an approximately 50-by-50-foot brush fire along the shoreline and two boats on fire,” East Pierce Fire & Rescue stated. “Crews on shore and aboard Marine 122 worked together to quickly contain the brush fire and extinguish the burning boats.”
BRUSH FIRE + MAR122 RESPONSE
7/5/26: Around 3:30 AM, East Pierce Fire & Rescue crews responded to a reported brush fire.
Firefighters arrived to find an approximately 50-by-50-foot brush fire along the shoreline and two boats on fire. Crews on shore and aboard Marine 122 worked… pic.twitter.com/cDM6zbqI0A
— East Pierce Fire (@EastPierceFire) July 5, 2026
Marine 122 and the Washington State Department of Ecology worked to contain the oil spill and prevent its spread.
“Marine 122 deployed containment booms to help keep the oil from spreading,” East Pierce Fire & Rescue added. “East Pierce crews remain on scene assisting with recovery operations.”
No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire and oil spill remains under investigation.
This is a developing story, check back for updates
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