Four boats sink in Lake Union marina fire (VIDEO)





SEATTLE -- Ten boats were damaged in a massive marina fire early Monday on Seattle's Lake Union.

Flames and smoke were seen shooting into the air from the Western Yacht Sales building around 1 a.m.

Firefighters contained the fire to one building and knocked it down in about 40 minutes.

Seattle Fire Lt. Sue Stangl says five people who lived on the boats were evacuated as the fire overtook the building.

According to the Seattle Fire Department, eleven boats were damaged including four that sunk. Crews remained on scene for hours mopping up hot spots.

The Coast Guard and state ecology officials went to the Boat World Marina to check on any pollution caused by the fire. They called in the National Response Corporation, which set up a containment boom to clean up spilled fuels.

About 70 firefighters responded to the fire. They doused it with foam to prevent leaking fuel from spreading the fire to other boats.



Stangl says some boats that were on fire floated away. That can be tricky because they can float to other piers and docks.

Westlake Avenue N. was closed overnight, but reopened in time for the morning commute.

Investigators say an unattended candle caused the fire.