Fire destroys boat at Everett boat launch

Published 9:22 pm Thursday, September 10, 2009

EVERETT — A boat docked at the Port of Everett’s 10th Street Boat Launch caught fire about 7:15 p.m. Thursday, sending a big plume of black smoke drifting over north Everett and attracting a crowd of onlookers, many who were out to watch the sunset.

Everett firefighters quickly had the fully involved blaze out.

Boat owner Mike Malloy of Everett said he started up his 22-foot Bayliner and had it running a few minutes when it backfired and burst into flames. He tried to use a fire extinguisher but ended up having to jump from the burning boat to a nearby boat-launch dock.

Malloy was not injured and no other people or boats were involved.

“Thank God for insurance,” Malloy said.

The fire did about $15,000 damage to the boat and its contents, as well as damaging the dock, Everett Fire Battalion Chief Roger Westlund said.

The smell of burning fiberglass and gasoline filled the adjacent 10th Street Marine Park and firefighting foam covered the water. Port of Everett security officers had to chase a few people from getting too close to the scene.