Fire sweeps through Lake Union marina
No injuries were reported, and the fire was under control shortly after 11 p.m., said Helen Fitzpatrick, Seattle Fire Department spokeswoman.
The spectacular blaze drew hundreds of onlookers and destroyed much of Seattle Marina.
Fitzpatrick did not know late last night exactly how many boats were involved.
The fire was reported at 9:43 p.m. at Seattle Marina, 2401 N. Northlake Way.
Some 50 firefighters were dispatched. Fitzpatrick said the fire appeared start on a boat on the east pier of the marina. The fire then spread to the west pier, where there were about 40 boats.
Witnesses said the fire started on a boat on the outermost dock. People nearby thought the wind would blow it out toward the lake, but it continued to burn, jumping from boat to boat.
The fire left some people homeless, and the American Red Cross was headed to the scene to help find housing.
"There were some spectacular explosions. They went off like blowtorches," said witness Steve Burkholder. "They (firefighters) didn't want to get too close to that."
Jolene Williams-Hunt, 44, has lived at the marina with her husband, Stewart Williams-Hunt, 49, for two years.
"I heard a boom, and I saw too much light. I came out, and the neighbors were saying, "Get off, get off, get off!" she said as she stood on the shore.
The fire occurred nearly a year after a blaze destroyed a dozen boats at the Cadranell Yacht Landing Marina, at 2525 Fairview Ave. E. Investigators determined an electrical problem started that fire, which caused $1 million damage.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.