SEATTLE, WA - Four boats were destroyed when a fire and explosions ripped through a Ballard marina on Sunday night. The fire broke out around 8 p.m. Sunday along the 5100 block of Shilshole Avenue Northwest. The fire sent a large cloud of black smoke into the sky, which could be seen from neighborhoods across the city. Some people close to the fire reported hearing explosions.
According to reports, the boats that were destroyed include two 50-foot boats and two smaller boats. Seattle fire marine and land crews were on the scene for several hours Sunday night monitoring the fire. The cause is still under investigation.
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A video taken by a boater approaching the dock captures one of the explosions.
Image via Seattle fire department
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SEATTLE, WA -- Four boats were burned when a fire ripped through a boat house on Salmon Bay, Seattle fire officials said.
The fire broke out just before 8 p.m. in the 5100 block of Shilshole Avenue Northwest in Ballard, sending a plume of smoke visible throughout much of the Seattle area.
Video from witnesses on nearby boats showed flames shooting through the boat house amid small explosions.
"I heard a boom," said Eric Pomeroy. "You know, you hear weird stuff around here -- fires and shooting cannons, you know, boating season. And I didn't think anything of it... and then I heard commotion."
Fire officials said two 50-foot boats burned as well as two other smaller boats. People who were in the boat house escaped and no one was injured.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this point and is under investigation.