(City Isalnd-WABC, March 10, 2006) - A spectacular four-alarm fire is tearing through a century-old yacht club on City Island in the Bronx.
Eyewitness News has learned the fire engulfed through The Morris Yacht & Beach Club at 25 City Island Avenue just after 1:30 a.m. Firefighters arrived to flames shooting out every window of the historic Victorian Mansion, built in 1899.
Officials say firefighters, many overcome by heavy smoke, battled the blaze that easily tore through the century-old structure. They fought it from the ground and from an FDNY fireboat in Eastchester Bay. Firefighters then requested foam to attempt to douse the flames.
At least nine firefighters were hurt fighting the fire. They were taken to Jacobi Medical Center with minor injuries.
Fire officials say it took more than five hours to put out the stubborn flames. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
None of the boats docked in Eastchester Bay were damaged.
The yacht club is one of the oldest structures on the one-and-a-half mile City Island juts into Eastchester Bay and Long Island Sound. It was converted into a yacht club in 1899 after being built as a mansion by the Hearst family.
(Copyright 2006 WABC-TV)
