Fire hits Highway Marine in Richland Township

Feb. 20--RICHLAND TOWNSHIP -- Gary Wimmer was in his Upper Saucon Township garage Sunday morning when word reached him: His boat shop was on fire.

Crews from four counties responded to a blaze in his Highway Marine on Route 309 in Richland Township, and while firefighters kept the fire from spreading beyond one of Wimmer's boats in the service department, it caused significant damage, he said.

Speaking Sunday afternoon, Wimmer said the boat, valued at approximately $100,000, is a loss. There was also water and smoke damage, and ash debris from petroleum-based Fiberglas particles throughout his inventory and offices.

"We have a lot of cleanup work to do," he said, adding he might bring in temporary mobile units on site to house office and sales departments while his building is shut down.

None of his customers' boats was affected, he said. No one was hurt, and nobody was in the business when the fire started, he said.

Wimmer said employees left Highway Marine at 4 p.m. Saturday.

He said fire investigators so far have theorized the fire started around the steering console in the middle of the boat.

"It was a brand new boat," Wimmer said of the watercraft that was destroyed. "I don't know what could have started it up [on fire]."

Lt. Brandon Vargo of Richland Township Fire and Rescue said dozens of firefighters from Lehigh, Northampton and Montgomery counties assisted Richland firefighters. The first fire call went out about 10:30 a.m., and fire units returned about 1:30 p.m. Officials closed both northbound lanes and one southbound lane of Route 309 for about two hours.

Vargo said firefighters' quick work prevented the blaze from spreading and creating a more hazardous situation.

"It could have been a lot worse," he said, referring other questions to Chief Bob Heitz, who could not be reached for comment. Vargo said either Bucks or state police fire marshals would likely handle the investigation.

Wimmer said said he has insurance to cover the cleanup and repairs.

"They're telling me that I could have my showroom in about 31/2 weeks," he said.

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