An early morning fire in Marathon shut down U.S. 1 for several hours in both directions as crews fought the blaze that engulfed a marina and caused an estimated $1 million in damages.
The fire started around 2:30 a.m. at mile marker 47.5, spreading through the entire marina near the north side of the Seven Mile Bridge. Crews responded to calls of a boat fire, but found a home and a lot full of wooden lobster traps on fire when they arrived.
Officials were able to contain the fire around 5:30 a.m., with 10 percent of the traps destroyed and one home being evacuated. No one inside that home was hurt. Deputies moved several boats and lobster traps out of the way of the flames.
A total of three lobster boats, six forklifts, tools and almost 20,000 traps were lost in the fire.
Crews closed U.S. 1 to connect water supplies located on the other side of the road as well as a response to the massive smoke and flames. Traffic was alternated at this point and motorists dealt with heavy delays.
