West Kelowna

An early morning fire erupted at Shelter Bay Marina on the Westside.

Huge flames and dark smoke could be seen for several kilometres before fire fighters were able to get it under control. 

The blaze was reported around 5 a.m., we do not have any reports of injuries.

Mary says, "I woke up just at 5 a.m. and went out on my bedroom deck. I looked and (saw) a small plume of smoke at the gas dock building. I ran in, grabbed the phone and called 911.  Within minutes the gas dock building was fully engulfed. We watched as a mast from a sail boat fell over onto the big boat beside it. The fire department arrived and started going boat by boat making sure they got everyone out. The police boat was on scene quickly and they attacked the fire from the water and the dock. There looks to be a few boats damaged as the firemen are putting water on the surrounding vessels."

Another witness watched from the side of the road.

Scott Craig says, "When I first pulled up the fire was pretty much how you see it in the pictures. A minute or two later the wind picked up and started to blow it towards all of the boats. It was pretty intense, you could hear all of the wood crackling, due to the fire, and a lot of thick black smoke."

The marina is situated on the south side of the William R. Bennett Bridge. it has moorage for 450 boats and yachts up to 20 metres in length.

Witnesses report damage is extensive, they say the fire started at the gas bar. We will have more details as they become available.

Photo: Contributed

Taken from the Kelowna side of the bridge