Several houseboats were destroyed by fire at a marina in The Dalles on Monday evening.
Firefighters struggled to battle the blaze at Finger B of the Dalles Marina. Five houseboats were completely destroyed and six others damaged, according to fire officials. Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue Chief Bob Palmer said despite the homes being on the water, hose access was limited along the narrow docks, and fire quickly spread among the tightly-packed homes.
“Approximately 60 personnel were on scene and we did have one injury from heat exhaustion who was transported to the hospital,” Palmer said.
No residents were injured.
Firefighters sprayed neighboring properties to prevent the blaze from spreading further. As boats left the marina, witnesses said people retrieved pets and some ended up jumping into the water to get away from the flames.
The fire spread to juniper bushes along nearby Interstate 84, temporarily closing some lanes.
A hazardous materials team is on site to protect the Columbia River, according to Palmer.
The Dalles Police Department Sgt. Austin Ell said the agency is investigating the fire’s origins.
Last July, another fire destroyed eight houseboats at the same marina, plus two vessels. Officials did not determine the cause of that fire.