LAKE MEAD (KTNV) — About 15 boats were damaged or destroyed after an early morning fire at Las Vegas Boat Harbor at Lake Mead.
According to the National Park Service, the fire started around 12:30 a.m. and was contained by 3:30 a.m.
As of Sunday evening, authorities were still investigating what caused the fire.
Jeff Sammons, a Boulder City resident who operates a waste removal company at Lake Mead, was asleep on his boat when he was startled by an explosion sometime after midnight.
"It was crazy," Sammons says. "A (National Park Service) ranger knocked on the door of my boat and said I have to evacuate. There were flames everywhere. Thank goodness there were no fatalities."
Owners of affected boats have been notified of damages by Las Vegas Boat Harbor staff.
The marina remains open to the public but NPS officials issued a partial area closure of the harbor's "R" and "I" docks, while the investigation continues.
"Everybody ended up being safe and that was in part due to the fact there was a fast response by the marina and the NPS and everybody involved," Sammons says.
Due to potential safety concerns, rangers are advising visitors to be cautious when accessing Hemenway Harbor and open portions of Las Vegas Boat Harbor.
The National Park Service is referring visitors to Boating Lake Mead's Facebook page for specific updates to marina operations and they will share additional updates when they become available.
According to Boating Lake Mead, there are no known fatalities and only two minor injuries. They state one boat owner went to the hospital to be treated for burns and one firefighter was checked out at the scene.
