Yesterday’s Lake Hartwell Fire started by backfired generator

At least 16 boats in Anderson County were severely damaged or destroyed during yesterday’s intense fire at Portman Marina that included several explosions and left a dock on Lake Hartwell engulfed in flames.

According to authorities, one boater was burned and at least one firefighter had to be treated for heat exhaustion as crews battled the blaze for hours in temperatures that hovered above 90 degrees.

The blaze is believed to have started when a generator on one boat backfired and then caused the boat to catch fire.

According to Townville Fire Station Chief Billy McAdams, between 200 and 250 firefighters battled the blaze for more than two hours before bringing it under control.

The number of damaged boats could climb in the coming days.

Greg Shore, an owner of Medshore Ambulance Service, said his personal boat was destroyed in the fire.

He initially said Monday that the damage tally was believed to be around 30 vessels.

Shore added late in the day that he believed many boats are still being evaluated for issues that, while not severe, are still damages.

Shore confirmed that the fire started on Dock 6 at the marina, and that it was a friend of his who suffered minor burn injuries.

Shore said the man was taken to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, by helicopter and is believed to be in stable condition.

Fighting the fire was complicated by the amount of fuel stored on each of the docked boats.

The marina draws thousands of visitors from South Carolina, Georgia and beyond each year.

Firefighters came from Center Rock, Townville, Zion, West Pelzer, Homeland Park, Ebenezer and Friendship fire stations, among others in Anderson County.

The fire is under investigation by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.