NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. -- Fire crews are still sifting through the rubble after a fire early Monday morning at a boat repair shop in North Tonawanda, Niagara County.
Mike Charnock, owner of Placid Harbor Marina, said 15 boats were destroyed in the fire.
Crews were called to Detroit Street repair shop around 2:40 a.m. Monday. Fuel from the boats being stored there caused several explosions.
"It was fueled by fuel in the boats and the wind didn't help us either it actually fed oxygen to the fire increased the burn," said North Tonawanda Fire Chief John Lapham.
Firefighters had trouble with power lines and temporarily lost power to the pumping station, which created water pressure issues. Crews knocked the fire down within two hours.
Charnock said the owners of all of the boats have been notified, and they all have insurance, but some boaters say either way, it's still a loss.
"The thing with boater's insurance is they only give you the value of the year the boat was built, and I spent a lot of money and upgraded the boat, it's got a newer motor on the boat, said boat owner Joe Vizzi. "I'm lucky if I get 50% of what I have invested."
"I'm concerned about the smoke damage and things like that, but I haven't really been able to check on it because it's a taped-off area at this point," said Dave Cassetta, one of the boat owners.
The fire chief said excavating equipment is being brought in to deal with hot spots. A firefighter did suffer a leg injury but is expected to be okay.
The cause is still under investigation.
According to the fire department, sections of the building continue to smolder, and crews will remain on scene unit these areas are extinguished.
Charlock said he plans to rebuild.