WASHINGTON, N.C. - A fire at a North Carolina marina ravaged a long pier for several hours early Friday, destroying two-dozen boats and injuring three people.


Crews responded to the blaze at McCotters Marina east of Washington shortly after midnight, officials said. By the time they arrived, they found one of the docks already engulfed in flames. Beaufort County Fire Marshal Curtis Avery said firefighters struggled to contain the fire because of how much area it covered and a tin roof that covered many of the boats.

Most of the boats sunk, and the long pier was reduced to remnants of burned pilings and charred tin.

Three people were injured, and Beaufort County Sheriff's Capt. Kenneth Watson said all have been released - something he called a blessing. Based on physical evidence and interviews, authorities believe an electrical fault triggered the fire and that foul play is not suspected.

Mark Hundell told WITN-TV he was treated for burns to his face and hands, and his fiancee was taken to a hospital for treatment of hypothermia after she jumped into the frigid creek to escape the flames.

Crews from the U.S. Coast Guard are on the scene and have placed 2,000 feet of boom in the area to contain any debris and pollution from the fire, and they are using absorbent pads to collect oil from the surface. Officials have called a private hazardous materials company to conduct the cleanup.

Authorities said it could take several days to complete the clean-up.

The 180-slip marina is on a creek off the Pamlico River, about 35 miles inland from Pamlico Sound.

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