On Monday 28 May 2012 at approx. 5:25 am individuals in the immediate area were awakened to the sound of popping and explosions.  Individuals exited their vessels and observed a cabin vessel engulfed in flames.  The vessels was docked on a lifted in a slip of the "new house boat" dock of Fish Springs Marina on Watauga Lake in Carter County.  Several residents of boats at the marina and the night watchman attempted to fight the fire using fire extinguishers and garden hoses.  According to statements given by witnesses and supported by photographs taken by witnesses, the fire started on the cabin vessel (vessel  #3).  The fire then jumped accross a walk way to vessel #1 and then progressed on to vessel #2 and vessel #6.  There were runabout type open vessels in slips adjacent to vessel #3 that were damaged by the heat generated.  These were vessel #4 and vessel #5.  Vessels 1-5 are all considered to be total losses based on the amount of damage done to them.  Vesssel #6 received minimal damage as it was very quickly extinguished and relocated to an area away from the fire.  The State Fire Marshal''s Office was contacted on Monday 28 May 2012 and set a tentative date for investigation.  The scene was documented, photographed, and secured.  Officers attempted to locate and interview witnesses and obtain photos that were taken of the early stages of the fire.  The Fire Marshal''s report is pending and it was determined V3 had an electrical failure.
HAMPTON                       