Multiple agencies respond to fire at Shelter Bay Marina in La Conner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 9:30 p.m., February 21, 2014

Contact: Dieter Bohrmann, Department of Ecology, Dieter.Bohrmann@ecy.wa.gov; Twitter @EcologyWA

LA CONNER – The Washington Department of Ecology, U.S. Coast Guard and multiple local fire departments responded to a fire involving nearly a dozen boats Friday evening at Shelter Bay Marina, including seven that sank.

The fire has been extinguished and oil containment boom has been placed around the area of the fire to prevent the spread of pollution. The boom was provided by Ecology through a 2007 equipment grant and was strategically located in the event of a spill.

The extent of any environmental damage is unknown. Multiple contractors have been hired by the Coast Guard and the marina to address environmental concerns as well as the salvage of the vessels. Ecology is working with the Coast Guard and the contractors to monitor the cleanup.

More information will be posted on a web page designated to this incident and on Ecology’s Twitter site as it becomes available.

Ecology incident web page: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/incidents/LaConner/index.html

Ecology Spills Program: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/spills.html

Ecology homepage: www.ecy.wa.gov/

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