OIFR Extinguishes a Challenging Fire at Deer Harbor Marina

— from Kevin K. O’Brien, Orcas Fire Chief/CEO —

UPDATE, FEB. 13 —

Following the investigation, the fire at the Deer Harbor Marina has been determined to be accidental in nature. Special thanks to our volunteers and Lopez Fire Chief Jim Ghiglione for the excellent assistance with the investigation.

On Monday, February 10, at 7:00 p.m., OIFR personnel were dispatched to the Deer Harbor Marina for the report of a structure fire. Arriving responders found the marina building closest to the main road heavily involved in fire.

Two 120 gallon propane tanks stored near the building were emitting large “torch like” flames which challenged firefighting efforts. Forty responders from OIFR and San Juan Island with 13 units including the fire boat “Confidence” from San Juan Island Fire District 3 worked until 1:30 a.m. to control the blaze.

Damage was limited and a good portion of the building was saved. The cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no injuries to civilians or responders.

Thanks to Orcas and San Juan Island volunteer responders and Auxiliary for their great work.

Orcas Island Fire and Rescue reminds you to make sure you have working smoke detectors in your home. If you need one installed, give us a call, 376-2331.

BREAKING STORY: 8:19 p.m., February 10 — Deer Harbor Marina on Fire

— by Lin McNulty and Margie Doyle —

Flames visible from Deer Harbor Marina fire. Photo: Rob Kirby

At one minute after 7 p.m., tonight Orcas Fire units were dispatched to a structure fire in the Deer Harbor Marina office. Numerous units gathered on the scene to battle the blaze, with fire engines, pumper trucks, an ambulance, and a rescue unit from all Orcas Island stations.

Crews continued through intermittent rains to hose down the propane tank next to the structure as it vented and flared, hoping to avoid an explosion of the tank. Other firefighters taped off the street nearby, to keep the public at a distance in case of such an explosion.

The fire boat Confidence, from Friday Harbor, was dispatched to the scene to standby in case it was needed.

As of 9:57 p.m., crews had returned to OIFR Station 21 to refill and return air bottles to the firefighters on the scene.

Although initially there were people and boats on the dock end of the fire scene, they were not in any danger as the fire was contained to the building itself.

Jeff Rodenberger, whose office is in the building destroyed by flames was watching to see how much damage the fire would cause.

Larry Coddington, who lives nearby, said, “The building at the start of the dock caught fire. I helped turned the gas tank off. It is unknown what started it. In that area are the garbage containers, the bathrooms, showers, laundry, and office.” “Flames rose 15-20 ft in the air,” he added.

There is no report of injuries at this time as crews to continue to cool down nearby propane tanks and bring the scene under control.

Cause is unknown at this time and will be investigated.