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Bellingham Marina Fire March 30, 2012

Bellingham Marina Fire March 30, 2012. 2 Fatalities. 12 Boats destroyed. Incident Timeline – March 30, 2012. 05:26:55 – Initial caller - 215 North State Street “Fire in the Marina area”… “Spreading incredibly fast” “Massive, Massive Fire”

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Bellingham Marina Fire March 30, 2012

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  1. Bellingham Marina FireMarch 30, 2012 2 Fatalities 12 Boats destroyed

  2. Incident Timeline – March 30, 2012 • 05:26:55 – Initial caller - 215 North State Street • “Fire in the Marina area”… • “Spreading incredibly fast” • “Massive, Massive Fire” • “It’s about doubled in size since I’ve been on the phone with you” and estimates fire is 200 feet long

  3. Incident Timeline – March 30, 2012 • Second caller… 05:28:54 • Boat owner located in E-Dock area • G-dock boathouse on fire • “Heard two explosions” • “The whole place is on fire” • “The entire row of boathouses” • “We’re going to get out of here” • “There are live-aboards in there… on the end…I have no idea what condition they are in.” • Fire units were being dispatched while this call takes place

  4. Multiple Additional Calls • Within seconds; • South Hill • Local industries • Reports of victims trapped on boat • Trapped victims calling 911 • Dispatchers handling multiple calls and verifying exact location of fire and victim status.

  5. Fire Location

  6. Fire Location

  7. Photograph of the west end of the G-Dock East boathouse. Taken approximately 05:35 a.m. by second caller who was on E-Dock about 400 feet away from fire.

  8. Photograph courtesy of South Whatcom Fire Authority. Image shows fire looking from west, taken after 2nd alarm units arrived, approximately 20-30 minutes after initial alarm.

  9. Marina Fires Grow Fast…Really Fast • Early detection makes all the difference in controlling marina fires: • Smoke/heat detectors • Alarms and alarm monitoring • Engineered fire protection features (Sprinklers and/or venting/blocking systems)

  10. Joint Effort • Second alarm resources • Fire department off-duty staff • Multiple Whatcom County fire agencies • Bellingham Police • Coast Guard • Department of Ecology • Port of Bellingham • Federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents • Support Officers

  11. Ongoing Incident • Until proven otherwise the site had to be treated as a crime scene • Search warrant issued • Put all salvage operations under Command • Everything video taped, photographed and cataloged as potential evidence • Support officers worked with families. • Managing the press was challenging…answers take awhile

  12. Unified Command • 12-hour operational periods • Appoint Command Staff & Section Chiefs • Six Planning Section Chiefs used in 30-days • Set meeting schedule • Port assumes financial responsibility for salvage and clean-up • Complete an ICS 201 Incident Briefing • Identify initial objectives • Incident Action Plans developed for each period • Information released was approved by IC’s

  13. Spill Response • 400 barrels of petroleum recovered • 1300 barrels of oily liquids recovered • 110 yards of oily solids and fire debris recovered • Decontamination of barges, docks, boom, etc. completed 24 days after the fire. • Twelve 30-yard dumpsters of miscellaneous debris were not disposed of until mid-August • 11 of the vessels still remain stored as evidence

  14. Cause and Origin • Bellingham Fire and Bellingham Police conducted a joint investigation • April 10th Agents from ATF join local investigators • Due to the extensive fire damage and submersion the cause and origin of the fire remain undetermined • Insurance representatives continue to investigate

  15. Lessons Learned • Timing and conditions of this fire meant we were far behind before our arrival. • Luck and multi-agency fire-fighting actions prevented even further damage and loss. • Incident highlighted need to work with Portand boat owners on improving fire prevention, detection and suppression.

  16. Draft Marina Fire Code Changes • Maximum quantity of fuel that can be stored in boathouses (excluding vessel fuel) • Ongoing inspection process • Establish exiting requirements • Increase standpipe fire flow volume • Installation of smoke/heat vents in all existing/new boathouses • Installation of fire sprinklers in boathouses greater than 2500 sq. ft. • Interlocal agreement between Port and City on purchase and operation of a fireboat

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