Structural Concerns Delay Athletic Club Boat Fire Investigation

A pool of polluted water is preventing New Rochelle fire investigators from inspecting the boat that erupted in flames at the New York Athletic Club last week.

“We can’t get on the boat because it is too unstable from all of the dirty water that’s still inside of it,” said Louis DiMeglio, chief of the New Rochelle fire department. “Even the guy from the insurance company won’t get on it.”

The water, which collected on the boat as firefighters were spraying it down, must be properly removed to prevent it from contaminating the Long Island Sound. 

DiMeglio said it will be a few more days before an environmental company comes into clear up all of the polluted water.

At about 12:30 p.m. May 18, a fire ignited on 61-foot Hatteras motor yacht that was dry-docked at the New York Athletic Club. The fire began after the boat’s owner took the cover off and was preparing to get it ready for the summer.

The boat owner suffered minor burns to his ears and neck trying to extinguish the fire before emergency officials arrived. He was transported to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx for treatment.

It took about an hour for emergency officials from New Rochelle and Pelham Manor to get the fire under control, but the fire was not completely extinguished until several hours later.