Sunday morning boat fire destroys vessel, according to Gulf Shores Fire Department | AL.com
Sunday morning boat fire destroys vessel, according to Gulf Shores Fire Department

By Emily Hill | ehill@al.com
on January 11, 2015 at 1:56 PM, updated January 11, 2015 at 6:00 PM




GULF SHORES, Alabama -- Sunday morning a fire at Nelson Boat Yard in Gulf Shores destroyed one boat and damaged several others, according to the Gulf Shores Fire Department. Firefighters were called to the boat yard around 10:56 a.m. and when they arrived a boat in flames was in tow by a small boat, according to Gulf Shores Fire Department Lt. Robert Rowland.
Rowland said the fire apparently started where the boat was docked on the west side of the pier against pilings.
The engulfed boat, a 36-to-40-foot Hatteras, was towed by a small boat away from other piers and into Oyster Bay. The Gulf Shores Fire Department extinguished the fire along with assistance from a Bon Secour Fire Department boat.
Around 1:30 p.m. Rowland said the boat was still smoldering but was contained. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Rowland said people at the boat yard reported heat damage to a few other vessels.
John Nelson, owner of Nelson Boat Yard, said nothing else received much damage.