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By Gary Weiand
Sunday, August 1, 2004 10:01 PM MDT
An explosion and the resulting fire destroyed at least nine boats and damaged several others at Topock Gorge Marina late Sunday morning. No one was reported injured as fire crews from several area agencies combined to prevent the blaze from spreading.
Bob Kemp, Mohave Valley Fire Department division chief, said that around 11 a.m. one boat exploded near the dock and burst into flames. The fire quickly spread among vessels moored at the facility located about 16 miles north of Lake Havasu City on Topock Marsh. At least nine were destroyed and five more damaged. An unknown number of boats sank, so the number lost may grow, he said.
Debra McCollum, bartender at the marina's restaurant-lounge, said that she witnessed the start of the blaze. Two people were in a boat that had been launched but not started, she said.
"The people tried to start it, and the hood on the engine blew 10 feet in the air. They dove off, it blew up and then it drifted to other boats at the dock," she said. "Within 10 seconds three were burning, and two more caught while I was on the phone.
"Two people were in the boat, but they jumped out. No one was hurt," she said.
Shawn Lawless, firefighter/paramedic for the Golden Shores Fire Department, said that he was with the first crewman to arrive at the blaze.
"The dock was in flames, and all but about three boats there had already been consumed," he said. "The flames were only 10 to 15 feet high, but there was lots of smoke."
According to Kemp, the fire was confined to one dock and contained by noon. He said that six fire engines and two fireboats arrived to prevent the blaze from spreading to other docks or the shoreline vegetation. The Golden Shores Fire Department, the Mohave Valley Fire Department, San Bernardino County, and other state and federal agencies responded to the fire, he said.
Trish Carter, Mohave County Sheriff's Department media specialist, said that the department assisted with traffic control and helped evacuate Topock Gorge Marina.
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OK, so how many of us have NOT USED OUR BLOWER to vent the eng compartment prior to starting the boat?
Sounds like this guy failed to to just that. :eek!: :eek!:
I bet he will remember now!:cry:
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Dont use it,
I just open the hatch instead clears it right out.....
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I dont use my blower much, I usually open the engine coverand check everything first. My boat is also open where the carb and air cleaner poke through. I also start the boat when launching with the cover open so I can listen for any new strange noises.
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I should use mine more. Fuel injection is not the same as the old days with carbs. I could not imagine the deck lid of my boat 10' in the air like what happened this time.
Late, Mike
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...boatfire06.jpg
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Originally posted by LHC30Victory
OK, so how many of us have NOT USED OUR BLOWER to vent the eng compartment prior to starting the boat?
Sounds like this guy failed to to just that. :eek!: :eek!:
I bet he will remember now!:cry:
I always use mine.
Hope he has insurance, cuz he's definitely gonna need it.
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18 boats damaged in marina fire
02:53 PM Mountain Standard Time on Monday, August 2, 2004
Staff and wire report
Major damage has been caused by a boat fire at a Colorado River marina in northwestern Arizona Sunday.
Mohave County sheriff's office spokeswoman Trish Carter says a 21-foot jet boat exploded into flames as the engine was started at the Topock Gorge Marina yesterday morning.
The News-Herald reports that according to a Mohave Valley Fire Department division chief, the fire was contained by noon.
Seventeen other boats, as well as the dock, also caught fire.
Carter says many of the boats either sank or are unsalvageable.
Fortunately, no one was injured.
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Simply opening the hatch isn't adequate if there's little circulation (wind). Fuel fumes will hang in the bottom of the bilge even with hatch open. One spark, still kaboom. :(
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Originally posted by Rexone
Simply opening the hatch isn't adequate if there's little circulation (wind). Fuel fumes will hang in the bottom of the bilge even with hatch open. One spark, still kaboom. :(
AHHHHH
That is good to know, I will use both now....
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Gasoline vapor is heavier than air and will seek the lowest areas of the engine compartment, so if you don't use your blower to remove these vapors they will continue to accumulate until they reach there lower explosive limits.
