Saturday September, 26 2015 @ 00:47

Nature: Marine Fire

Location: 35552 Joann Dr., Millsboro, DE 19966

Early Saturday morning, September 26th, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for vessel fire off of Joann Drive in the Mariner’s Cove development off of Long Neck Road. It was reported to boat docked in front of a residential structural.

Additional calls to the Sussex County Emergency Operation Center (EOC) indicated that the vessel was fully involved with exposures to nearby structures as a result of the wind conditions. Therefore, Chief Mario Street requested a box alarm alert for a working fire which alerted the Millsboro (83) and Lewes (82) fire companies as well.

Emergency response units from Indian River included Chief 80, Tanker 80 and Rescue 80 from the Oak Orchard area; Engine #80-1 and Engine #80-3 from the Long Neck area as well as the Delaware State Fire Police and the Sussex County Paramedics.

As Chief Street arrived on scene, his initial report was that vessel fully involved.

Emergency response crew assignments included the immediate activation of two fire suppression lines to address the vessel as well as to protect the nearby structure.  Tanker 80 was assigned water supply to Engine #80-3.

The initial suppression efforts repositioned the vessel allowing it to be secured back into the lagoon away from the exposure areas.

Shortly into the incident, Chief Street downgraded the incident response to apparatus currently on-scene; thereby, returning all other units.

It appears that a Carolina Skiff brand vessel caught fire while docked. The vessel was fully involved and considered a complete loss.

DNREC and other appropriate authorities were notified and will be conducting an investigation.

Additional information may be obtained by viewing the following web pages:

http://www.delaware1059.com/story.php?id=19331