Dock Fire Turns Deadly

Dock Fire Turns Deadly

By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — In a recent press conference with Scottsboro Fire & Rescue Chief Gene Necklaus, updates were made available on the fire at Boat Dock 19-B, at the Jackson County Park.  

At 12:40 a.m. a call came in that one boat was on fire. The fire began on the shore side of the dock hampering the access of firefighters and egress of residents. By the time units responded, there were multiple boats on fire. The dock has eighteen slips per side with over thirty-five boats destroyed. Seven residents jumped into the water for safety and were carried to Highlands Medical Center. These residents are listed in stable condition. There are reports of eight residents that are unaccounted for. Chief Necklaus reported that there were multiple fatalities. 

With houseboats, there are limited means of escape. The fire consumed quickly with the presence of gasoline and a large amount of plastic. Necklaus went on to say that there are multiple dive teams using sonar to help in what is now called a recovery effort.  

Necklaus went on to say that the Scottsboro Fire & Rescue had at last count, nineteen agencies responded from the state, regional and local area with multiple other agencies offering to help.

“This absolutely is devastating. It is certainly the most devastating thing I have ever seen,” said Chief Necklaus. “The numbers will change as this is an extremely intense and long operation.”

UPDATED AT 1:34 PM ON MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2020

The following information was released by Chief Necklaus of Scottsboro Fire & Rescue:

At approximately 12:40 a.m. Scottsboro (AL) Fire responded to report of a boat on fire at Jackson County (AL) Park Marina at Guntersville Lake on the Tennessee River.

Upon arrival, crews found Dock B an estimated 30% involved, including the moored boats. Due to the location of the fire and involved boats, fire crews had difficulty accessing the offshore portion of the dock and boats.

An estimated 35 boats were completely destroyed prior to extinguishment. All boats moored at Dock B were a total loss. Dock B housed a variety of vessels, from 20 feet to over 40 feet in length. Several of these boats were houseboats that served as a primary residence for occupants.

Seven boat occupants swam to safety or were rescued from the water. Those individuals were transported to Highlands Medical Center in Scottsboro. They were evaluated and released with zero to minor injuries, mostly minor hypothermia from the cold water.

Multiple boats sunk around the dock and surrounding waters. Fire crews, Rescue Squads, and Dive Teams were deployed to search the boats and surrounding waters for victims. These recovery efforts are hindered by the cold water temperature.

Immediate efforts were initiated to account for the occupants of the boats, made difficult due to some occupants reported as leaving in private vehicles. The original unaccounted number was as high as 9 at one point. 8 victims have been recovered at this time. Currently, there are no individuals unaccounted for. That unaccounted may change as additional information becomes available.

From an environmental perspective, initial containment efforts have been deployed for any fuels or contaminate released into the water. At this point, it does not appear any contaminates have not released into the main river channel nor encroached on any water treatment intakes. Alabama Department of Environmental Management will oversee the cleanup effort.

Multiple state, regional, and local resources are on-site and will remain on-site throughout the operation. Because of the difficulty accounting for occupants, we expect the recovery operation to last for several more days as we want to ensure all the vessels are cleared as they are removed. That is the primary objective right now, making sure that all victims are found. Following that, the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office, in coordination with Scottsboro Fire and Scottsboro Police investigators and the ATF will process the cause determination.

We ask that citizens avoid the area as the operation continues, we also ask that everyone remember the victims, families, and responders in their thoughts.

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