86 Boats Worth Millions Lost During Fire At Buford Storage Site

BUFORD, GA — Gwinnett Firefighters are fighting a fire since 5:22 a.m. in the boat storage area at Buford Dam Road Boat Storage, located in the 2140 block of Buford Dam Road, NE in Buford. The caller to 911 was an employee who provides security overnight. He reported flames showing from several boat slips. No injuries have been reported.

Firefighters report a total loss to approximately 86 boats and four vehicles. An adjoining motorcycle shop is also damaged. While no estimated value has been released for the boats that were destroyed, fire officials on Monday said it would likely reach into millions of dollars.

Crews arrived to find heavy flames and smoke showing from about half of the large boat storage facility. Firefighters requested additional units to respond and mounted a defensive attack to control the blaze and protect exposures. Multiple hand lines, deck guns and two aerial ladders were used to knock down the bulk of the flames. The Fire Department’s Hazmat Unit was requested to respond to monitor runoff of water due to fuels burning and foam application. The fire extended to the retail and office area and caused a collapse of the roof.

Fire investigators are on the scene and are speaking with the business owner and the employee who reported the fire.

(For more news like this, sign up for Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news in Buford — or other neighborhoods. Access Patch on the go with our iPhone app or our brand new app for Android phone users.)

Per the Incident Commander, units will be out for an extended period of time dousing hot spots. A County Department of Water Resources tractor has been requested to assist fire crews with separating debris to include ten roofing material in order to complete fire extinguishment.

The exact cause of the fire is currently undetermined and is under investigation.

There are three separate buildings (boat slips) on the property, but only the one boat slip building (the one connected to the office) is damaged. No other boat slips or boats are involved.

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDES: 6-Engines, 2-Ladder Trucks, 1-Squad, 1-Rehab Unit, 1-Air & Light Unit, 1-Medic Unit, 1-Hazmat Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-District Commander, 2-Fire Investigators, and 1-PIO

Images courtesy Gwinnett County Fire Department