Fire significantly damaged a building at the historic Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club early Saturday morning, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
Firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire at about 4 a.m. Saturday at 2606 North Mission Bay Drive, where they found flames and smoke coming from the rear of the building and called for a second-alarm response, officials said.
It took 86 fire personnel more than 90 minutes to extinguish the flames, which were mostly in the attic of the building and not accessible.
“It was really difficult to get to the fire,” Capt. Jason Shanley told City News Service. “Patio support beams had collapsed so they had to use unconventional means to attack the fire. It took more than an hour to get access to the fire.”
Nine fire engines and five fire trucks were assisted by a drone, search and rescue personnel, a bomb squad, logistics, medical and operational support, and the Metro Arson Strike Team, Shanley said.
Several boats on trailers in the parking lot were not damaged and there were no injuries. Investigators were attempting to determine the cause of the blaze and assess the damage amount.
The Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club, one of the oldest in the United States, was founded in 1940 as the San Diego Speedboat Club. It moved to its current location in 1965 and is known for teaching the blind how to water ski.
