STAN HUNTER BOAT BUILDER SHOP DESTROYED BY FIRE
Jan 3, 2017
Muskoka News Watch reported this story the week before Christmas.
A passing motorist is being thanked for alerting a Muskoka Lakes boat builder to flames that tore through his shop Wednesday evening.
Stan Hunter was upstairs in his home, located at 2757 Highway 118 West, when the motorist, after calling 911, burst through his front door notifying him of the blaze.
The fire broke out in the shop adjacent to the home around 7:40 pm – the cause is still unknown, but it started near a propane powered boiler system.
Hunter is also thanking the Muskoka Lakes Fire Department for their quick response. Firefighters showed up within about 12 minutes of being called on an extremely poor night weather wise.
The crews remained on scene until around midnight – one firefighter stayed overnight to ensure no hot spots seared up.
Witnesses described flames tearing quickly up the walls of the shop and through its roof, which partially caved in. There were no injuries.
Damage is estimated to be between $400,000 and $450,000 as the shop was completely gutted, along with two classic antique boats which were under restoration – a 1930s Minett-Shields and a 1965 Century.
About $250,000 in property was saved. The shop also contained a large inventory of boat building tools and lumber.
By Matt Sitler, original article can be read at:
