A large marina in the Florida Keys burned in a fire early Monday, shutting down the Overseas Highway/U.S. 1 for four hours as crews worked to put out the fire.
The fire started around 2:30 a.m. at the Vaca Key Marina at mile marker 47.5 in Marathon, burning a house, three boats, and an acre-sized lot full of lobster traps, according to the Miami Herald. About 20,000 traps in total were burned in the fire, and the total damage is expected to exceed $1 million.
People were evacuated from the home and marina, but no injuries were reported in the fire.
The highway was closed because of water hoses that had to be run across the road, according to the Sun Sentinel. It was reopened just before 8 a.m. It is the only road in and out of the Keys.
Six different fire crews worked to put the fire out.
The cause of the fire is unknown and is being investigated by the Marathon fire marshal, state fire marshal, and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Sentinel reported.
Several boats and stacks of lobster traps were able to be moved out of the fire’s path and were saved, the Herald reported, but six propane-powered forklifts and other tools were destroyed.
Lobster fishing season starts Aug. 1, the Sentinel reported.
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