Houseboats destroyed by fire at Holly Bay; electrical problem suspected as cause

Electrical problems are suspected to have ignited a fire that destroyed three houseboats moored at Holly Bay Marina on Laurel Lake Friday morning.

Bald Rock Firefighters were called the scene off of Ky. 1193 in western Laurel County about 6:30 a.m.

"We had one catch fire and it caught the other two," said Randy Lawson, the manager of the marina.
Mutual aid was requested from Oak Grove Fire Department, who provided manpower and additional trucks.

Using the Bald Rock Fire Department’s pontoon boat, firefighters pulled the boats from the slips where they were docked to the nearby boat ramp where fire trucks and hoses could be brought close enough to use foam and water to extinguish the blaze.
In addition, Lawson said this allows the boats to potentially be salvaged.

"The water is about 130 feet deep at the slips," Lawson said.

Lawson said each of the boats was privately owned and the respective owners have been notified.

When asked about the possibility of arson, Lawson said the marina has a night security detail and questions anyone who tries to get on one of the boats.

"We know all of the owners," Lawson said. "If someone claims the owner said they can use a boat, we will call the owner to verify it."