Two hurt in Long Island marina fire

Posted on 02 February 2012

Two people were injured, 16 boats were destroyed and at least four other boats were damaged in a fire Wednesday at a Freeport, N.Y., marina.

The two injured men were extracting a fuel tank from a boat that was in storage at Approved Marine, police told Newsday. Believing the tank to be completely empty of fuel, the workmen attempted to cut the tank out from its position using a power saw. This caused sparks that ignited residual fuel and fumes that burst into flames, police said.

The men, who were not identified by name, were admitted to Nassau University Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening burns, police said, and were in stable condition.

Freeport Fire Chief Mark Stuparich said that about 200 firefighters from eight departments arrived shortly after the 3:44 p.m. alarm and fought the blaze for about two hours before it was extinguished.

“It's over a million dollars' loss is my guesstimate,” Stuparich told the newspaper. "It could have been a lot worse.” Another 40 boats were in the proximity of the fire and were threatened during the battle, he said.

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Comments

May the lord heal those men, it could be any one of us. im just extra careful with safety for others if its to risky stop and get to an open spot to work if you hurt or damage your self but its a defferent story around other peoples stuff not caring of other people boats that not cool.

Its sad to see the comments posted here.

NONE of you know the facts as YOU were not on the boat and do not know what actually started the fire!!!

The 2 mechanics were good mechanics and men. Not there first day here.

If you dont know facts you should not comment except for wishing only the thoughts and concerns for the 2 men injured.

Mr. "buy2ls", all of the years of experience a person may have means absolutely nothing if you make a bone-headed decision. It is a common safety rule that everyone knows, that you do not operate spark-generating equipment around chemical and fuel containers—empty or otherwise—fuel-soaked cleanup rags, and floors. By describing to us their experience and background, you make them look even worse; in other words, they should have known better.

People show how stupid it is possible to be. The insurance does not come close to replace someones pride and joy when it is destroyed. These workmen made a mistake that could have been made by anyone. Working in the marina invironment can be a very dangerous job. The owners of these boats most times are just hard working midle income folks that work all year to get out and enjoy the water a few weeks out of the summer. Some of these people will never be able to afford to replace the boats they lost in this accident. I for one could never replace my boat with what the insurance co. would give me for it.

And there was no "prior approval required for all works to boats, see the Marina Manager first" advertised in the yards or storage areas or in the storage contracts?

Reading some of these comments really does make me feel like Im not as cynical as I thought or appear - that said - I must agree that there seems to be alot of fires at marina's to over priced under used un-sellable power craft :)

Comments on here are as about as stupid and insensitive as well as completly uninformed. "CJCotter" Typical internet know it alls, show that they know nothing. I know both men that were hurt and they are very experienced marina employees that have worked there for quite some time. The owner operator is a extremely qulifed craftsman that takes great care in his operation. This is an unfortunate accident.

If the situation is as dangerous as is being described here, then they should hire professionals who are trained and licensed to work with explosives. Instead, we have a couple of yahoos who think they can do it themselves. The public criticisms the two men are receiving are justified.

Hard to believe the comments of non-boaters. Crude, slanderous, and verification of the stupidity of some people. It's always dangerous to work around fuel tanks with power equipment. And, like was already stated, "almost empty" tanks have a lot of fumes inside, and THAT is what is the most dangerous part of the formula. Taking shots at boaters who have spent a lot of money on something that pleases them is no different than stay-at-home-wannabe sports guys watching a ball game on their 70-inch boob tubes. It's all a matter of perspective. This world would be ever-so-boring if we all liked exactly the same thing.

"Empty" tanks are almost always more dangerous then full tanks. It's very difficult to remove all fuel and fumes. Years ago the big fire at Essex,Ct left a full tank intact on a Bertram that was destroyed. Ethanol would
have destroyed the tank years later if the boat wasn't in the fire!

My thoughts are with the men who were injured and gratitude should be given to the VOLUNTEER Fire Department!

However, I am in the industry and I can NOT believe the crap that people are posting about this fire over on the Newsday website! It’s so sad what the current political environment has turned boat owners into! Take a look below at some examples and PLEASE be sure to vote wisely this year!

Travler 4 hours ago
That Boat Insurance is really gonna pay off now. Nobody wants a 'Powerboat' with gas at $5.00 a gallon in these 'Marina's', this is how one rids himself of the fool thing when there's no more fools to buy them. Too bad those firemen were so good, the Torch'll havta come back and do it again.

SpartanWarrior 32 minutes ago
People's beloved possessions/property aside, I still think recreational boating is a pretty douchey hobby

Themaskedwriter 1 hour ago
Really Denny. Thank goodness some of the boats were saved, they can now go out fishing and drink beer when the weather turns nice. All the other boats have insurance and they can be prepared. The two people in critical condition? Eh, who cares as long as those people can drive their oversizes SUV's to their boats, tahts all that matters

What has become of this country when someone that is successful is looked down upon? Is the American Dream completely gone? So sad!

Stupid is as Stupid does.

Using a blow torch to cut the fuel tank might have been faster than a saw.

Aren't we seeing a greater number of marina fires and boat losses this winter than is past winters?

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