Operations & Training

Video: Multiple MI Departments Tackle Massive Marina Fire

Dec. 4, 2020

Smoke from the burning Toledo Beach Marina in LaSalle could be seen for miles across Lake Erie as crews from nearly every department in the area worked to put out the blaze.

By Caitlin Taylor Boron and Ray Kisonas

Source Monroe News, Mich.

Firefighters from multiple departments battled the massive blaze that erupted at the Toledo Beach Marina in LaSalle, MI, early Friday.

Multiple fire departments were called to Toledo Beach Marina Friday morning to battle a massive fire that ignited inside the facility's primary storage and maintenance building and may have caused millions of dollars in damages.

No one was believed to have been injured.

The marina, which has a long local history, is located at 11840 Toledo Beach Rd., LaSalle, off S. Otter Creek Rd. east of I-75.

"We are relieved that all of our employees are safe and we are aware of no injuries," said James Phyfe, Chief Resource Officer of Safe Harbor Marinas, also known as Toledo Beach.

"Our leadership team is at the property managing the situation. We are working closely with first responders and have initiated an investigation into the cause.

"As soon as we have more information, we will reach out to affected members."

Smoke could be seen for miles drifting across Lake Erie as firefighters attempted to quell flames that spread throughout the building, a portion of which collapsed from the blaze.

As of Friday morning, the cause of the fire remained unknown.

Officials said many boats were being stored inside the structure, including one that was described as a million-dollar yacht and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office patrol vessel.

It's maintenance building, in total, sprawls at least 150 feet long.

Although the fire's official origin remains unknown, it appeared to have ignited near the center of the facility, making it especially challenging to battle the smoke and flames.

Nearly every area fire department responded to assist the LaSalle Township Volunteer Fire Department, the lead agency at the scene, including Exeter, Frenchtown, London-Maybee-Raisinville, Luna Pier, Monroe Township, Morin Point (Erie), Summerfield and others.

Firefighters were drafting water from Lake Erie to be used toward extinguishing the flames.

It's believed that the Michigan State Police of the Monroe post will handle the investigation into the cause of the fire.

___

Visit Monroe News, Mich. at http://www.monroenews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.