A 60-foot boat erupted in flames Monday afternoon at a Grasonville marina, sending a towering column of black smoke over the Kent Narrows and much of the Eastern Shore. Volunteer and county fire crews rushed in as boaters and onlookers lined nearby shorelines. Authorities reported the blaze was brought under control and that there were no injuries.
Firefighters with the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department said they were dispatched shortly after 4 p.m. and stretched three hose lines to attack the fire, ultimately gaining control of the 60-foot vessel after roughly two hours, according to WBAL NewsRadio. The department noted that thick black smoke from the burning boat could be seen for miles across the Eastern Shore. Crews remained on scene for about two hours as they knocked down hotspots and checked neighboring boats for any heat damage.
Where It Happened
The fire broke out at Safe Harbor Narrows Point Marina in the Kent Narrows, a busy boatyard and event hub on Kent Island that hosts the seasonal Bay Bridge Boat Show. The marina’s location listing places the facility in Grasonville and provides visitor information for the site, according to Safe Harbor Narrows Point. Marina staff and slipholders worked alongside first responders, helping move vessels and keep docks clear while firefighters operated.
Investigation
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, officials told WBAL NewsRadio. State or county investigators often coordinate with volunteer departments on dockside fires, and officials said their immediate focus was assessing damage and ensuring the flames did not spread to nearby slips. For now, the marina is working with responding crews to secure the area and determine next steps.
