Tragic fire in Alabama USA Marina

[Seashoreman]

Several people dead, hospitalised and missing. 35 boats are total loss.
Could this be because the boats were wooden or would this happen with GPR?
One can only imagine it happened very quickly while people were sleeping. No real facts to read, yet.
Deadly fire at Jackson County, Alabama boat dock, multiple dead, eight missing

 

[jwilson]

It's an inland lake/river in Alabama: almost certainly lots of GRP petrol-powered boats. GRP burns pretty well once lit, but petrol burns much much faster and more fiecely. Once one fuel tank goes, nearby boats and maybe the wooden pontoons can go too.

 

[Seashoreman]

Thanks jwilson, of coarse that makes sense. Petrol driven lake boats would probably explode in those situations.
I see by scrolling through the pictures that there where also house boats in the style of wooden chalets.

 

[mainsail1]

It appears that this marina has a roof over the pontoons. Never seen that before. If I am correct, this must make the spread of a fire between boats almost inevitable.

 

[[70521]]

It appears that this marina has a roof over the pontoons. Never seen that before. If I am correct, this must make the spread of a fire between boats almost inevitable.

I've seen that on a few YouTube videos. Where we have cloud and rain to shade us they are not as lucky and need to build their own shade.

Very sad news from the other side of the pond.

 

[Dave100456]

Tragic.
Interesting that the fire is evident from left to right (guessing 50-100 metres) yet it appears that boats moored close on the other side of the pontoon are not alight?

 

[Stemar]

Tragic.
Interesting that the fire is evident from left to right (guessing 50-100 metres) yet it appears that boats moored close on the other side of the pontoon are not alight?

Wind direction? Or maybe the boats that didn't catch were outside the roofed area?

 

[Uricanejack]

Very sad.

Boat house marinas are very popular over here.
A close friend lost his pride and joy a few years ago in a similar fire, started on a nearby boat. Fortunately although boats lost no people were lost.
Boats and marinas can be replaced.