A marina on Lake Wylie became the scene of a fire yesterday as flames consumed several boats docked at Terry's Marina. The blaze reportedly initiated from a single vessel before spreading to others. Marina owner Terry James believes the fire started when a boat owner used a lightbulb to prevent their boat's engine from freezing, "It started with a boat that had a drop cord going to it, and they evidently had a lightbulb or something keeping the engine warm during the cold weather," James told WBTV. Though fire officials are yet to confirm the cause, James is convinced the bulb was at fault and announced plans to introduce a ban on lightbulbs and drop cords at the marina during winter months.
The fire attracted the attention of nearby residents as flames and smoke could be seen from afar. "It’s def out of the ordinary, started smelling smoke and seeing trucks and ambulance, emergency responder going down the road and that is when I realized something was wrong," resident Geoffrey Duckett described his experience to WCNC Charlotte. Kari Greenwood, another local, said she heard “a bunch of explosions” - a testament to the severity of the situation as reported by numerous accounts.
Footage obtained by WSOCTV showed several boats engulfed in flames as emergency responders worked to quell the fire. Exploding sounds were observed which likely came from fuel onboard the vessels. The fire did not lead to any injuries but did result in the destruction of several boats and a portion of the marina's dock.
James stated he has been at the helm of Terry's Marina for 64 years and has never witnessed such an event. After the fire, he emphasized the necessity of safety measures, encouraging boat owners to drain their engines to prevent freezing instead of using improvisations like lightbulbs. Although that portion of the boat house is still standing, James conceded that it will need significant rebuilding work. The investigation into the fire is ongoing, spearheaded by the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshall's Office, with assistance from the Charlotte and Steele Creek Fire Departments, as noted by WCNC Charlotte.
