KIRKLAND, Wash. – An Argosy Cruises sightseeing boat that was docked in downtown Kirkland was damaged by fire early Saturday.
Battalion Chief Mike Dettmer of the Kirkland Fire Department said the call came in at 6:40 a.m. No one was on the boat at the time.
When firefighters arrived on the scene they found heavy black smoke and flames coming from the 110-foot vessel. After forcing their way inside by breaking a sliding glass door, they were confronted with an engine room in flames and completely full of dark smoke.
Firefighters used saws to cut the deck so they could get to the flames in the engine room.
There was a large fire response, with four different jurisdictions and a total of about 17 units.
"Because it's so hot we need to rotate our guys through more often than you would in a house fire," said Dettmer.
Dan Wentzel, who lives in a nearby condo, watched the teams of firefighters going in and coming out.
"One of the guys was saying it was one of the hottest fires he had ever fought," said Wentzel.
"We are fortunate that no injuries occurred and that the breadth of our fleet allows us to continue its scheduled tour route," Kevin Clark, CEO of Argosy, said in a press release.
The MV Kirkland is docked at the Kirkland City Dock at Marina Park. The 1924 ferry boat, which was refurbished by Argosy in 1996, is used for tours of Lake Washington, wedding receptions, and similar functions. The ship is approximately 108 feet long and 40 feet wide.
In March of 1997 the M.V. Kirkland was placed on the Washington Heritage Register.
Damage is estimated at more than $60,000.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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