Annapolis YC on fire

dbltime · Dec 12, 2015

Very serious fire started 14:00 12/12
Does not look good
Fire department very disorganized

catalinajack · Dec 12, 2015

dbltime said:
Very serious fire started 14:00 12/12
Does not look good
Fire department very disorganized

Just looked at the local news feed. Not good. Both the first and second floors are totally engulfed in flames pouring out the windows. Good chance it will be a total loss. This building is located hard by the Annapolis side of the Spa Creek drawbridge just around the corner to Ego Alley.

Fire at Historic Annapolis Yacht Club: UPDATED | Patch

Heron · Dec 12, 2015

That's a shame....

BandB · Dec 12, 2015

One of our favorite stops.

twistedtree · Dec 12, 2015

I heard from my brother who lives there. He said it burned to the ground. Don't know if any exaggeration was involved.

HeadMistress · Dec 12, 2015

The good news--if you can call it that--is that only the building seems to have been involved...no docks or boats.

RT Firefly · Dec 12, 2015

Greetings,
More good news would be no injuries or fatalities.

twistedtree · Dec 12, 2015

RT Firefly said:
Greetings,
More good news would be no injuries or fatalities.

The stuff I've read says no injuries other than minor with one fire fighter.

BandB · Dec 12, 2015

Fortunately the club was closed at the time, preparing for the parade. The first speculation was the Christmas Tree but it hasn't been confirmed. It does serve as a warning to all, regardless, of the dangers of trees and the frequency of fires with live trees. That would also explain how it grew into a major fire so quickly. It looked from all I saw like the docks and boats avoided damage although I can't imagine there wasn't some, at least from the heat. However, perhaps miraculously there was none.

Moonstruck · Dec 12, 2015

That was an iconic building and a fixture on the water front. I have some great memories of lunches there (on a reciprocity basis----not a member) with my grandsons out on the deck overlooking the harbor. What a shame. I'm sure that it will be built back probably bigger and better, but there is something to be said for tradition.

I'm glad that no one was seriously injured.

HenryD · Dec 12, 2015

The photos, flags, awards and models were priceless. Fortunately, everyone was able to get out safely. The last I heard, the fire department put out four alarms.

AKDoug · Dec 12, 2015

Sad to say after being a career firefighter, but if there is no life involved they don't take any chances of getting anyone hurt and fight fires from the outside now. When I started we used to go in and we loved it, by the time I left we basically put water in through the windows and let the insurance cover it...

BandB · Dec 12, 2015

AKDoug said:
Sad to say after being a career firefighter, but if there is no life involved they don't take any chances of getting anyone hurt and fight fires from the outside now. When I started we used to go in and we loved it, by the time I left we basically put water in through the windows and let the insurance cover it...

I agree. Human life is what is important. There were two firefighters and one civilian taken to the hospital. The firefighters with minor injuries and nothing known as to the civilian.

Also the building did not have sprinklers.

It was 3 alarms, 90 firefighters and 3 fire boats involved. 31 fire trucks I believe. Very fortunate it wasn't worse.

oscar · Dec 13, 2015

BandB said:
Also the building did not have sprinklers.

That's like not having an ER fire suppression system.

rwidman · Dec 13, 2015

BandB said:
.................Also the building did not have sprinklers. ................

That's pretty common with historic buildings. And a reason why so many burn. I often notice things like this while dining in restaurants in historic or just old buildings. They can be death traps without modern building materials and techniques.

Much of historic Georgetown, SC burned a few years ago. No sprinklers, no firewalls, old, dried out timbers, etc.

Modern building and fire codes prevent much of this.

twistedtree · Dec 13, 2015

I don't think it was particularly historic. I doubt it was built much before the 50s or 60s.

I am a bit surprised that a large gathering place like that does need to be sprinkled, but I suppose as a private facility.....

rwidman · Dec 13, 2015

twistedtree said:
I don't think it was particularly historic. I doubt it was built much before the 50s or 60s.

I am a bit surprised that a large gathering place like that does need to be sprinkled, but I suppose as a private facility.....

You are still talking 65 years. A lot has changed in that time as far as fire and building codes. In many cases, a building is not required to be brought up to code if it's already there when the code is changed.

The replacement will have sprinklers, you can bet on it.

oscar · Dec 13, 2015

There was a big refit in the mid 90's....... they had their chance.

Moonstruck · Dec 13, 2015

twistedtree said:
i don't think it was particularly historic. I doubt it was built much before the 50s or 60s.

I am a bit surprised that a large gathering place like that does need to be sprinkled, but i suppose as a private facility.....

1963

SOJOURN4 · Dec 13, 2015

I was on the other side of Spa Creek when the fire broke out. East side of building pretty much gutted. Building frame and roof still standing. West side (Entrance) did not suffer fire damage - but lots of water/smoke.

mbevins · Dec 13, 2015

SOJOURN4 said:
I was on the other side of Spa Creek when the fire broke out. East side of building pretty much gutted. Building frame and roof still standing. West side (Entrance) did not suffer fire damage - but lots of water/smoke.

Where did they display their trophies and such items?. Any word on their demise?

oscar · Dec 13, 2015

Yeah. That's going to be the sad part. The building is one thing, but all the memories.....

catalinajack · Dec 14, 2015

oscar said:
There was a big refit in the mid 90's....... they had their chance.

Saw the Governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, on TV reacting to the loss. He stated that the State will do everything it can, whatever that is, to help the club rebuild. So, let me see, a private club, membership in which is closed to the public, may receive public funds for rebuilding? Why? That's what insurance is for. And, if the insurance is not enough, so what. Let the membership pay. My taxes should not have to pay for a private club whose membership is limited to only those who are accepted by the membership. And this guy is a Republican!

Moonstruck · Dec 14, 2015

The state could expedite the permitting process by getting some agencies off their back and maybe cutting the graft that Maryland is known for. :hide:

catalinajack · Dec 14, 2015

Moonstruck said:
The state could expedite the permitting process by getting some agencies off their back and maybe cutting the graft that Maryland is known for.

Graft? In Maryland? Surely you jest. I once attended a zoning hearing at which the judge told a builder that he should prepare for an appeal of an adverse decision. Two days later the zoning variance was approved. In the meantime what changed this judge's mind? I don't know but I know what think. What do you think? But, you are correct. Greasing the ways through the permitting process would be a good thing. The permitting process in Anne Arundel County is incredibly difficult. Reasons? Speculation? I'll leave that to others.

AKDoug · Dec 14, 2015

Truth is, with modern permitting requirements a lot of buildings we have now would never have been built. The cost of the permits required now are probably more than the original construction costs of a lot of those buildings. Insurance companies probably do their best to mitigate their liability for buildings that don't meet current codes in ways other than just jacking up the rates. I would imagine you don't get a "new building" out of your insurance for your 60 years old "historic" business (or club). Just saying'... And I would bet a 50-60 year old building on the waterfront is considered historic to most folks.

Moonstruck · Dec 14, 2015

AKDoug said:
Truth is, with modern permitting requirements a lot of buildings we have now would never have been built. The cost of the permits required now are probably more than the original construction costs of a lot of those buildings. Insurance companies probably do their best to mitigate their liability for buildings that don't meet current codes in ways other than just jacking up the rates. I would imagine you don't get a "new building" out of your insurance for your 60 years old "historic" business (or club). Just saying'... And I would bet a 50-60 year old building on the waterfront is considered historic to most folks.

A new building paid for by insurance? It would depend on if they had a replacement value policy or a depreciated value policy. My bet is on replacement value. Of course, when anyone builds new it is usually better with added features. Therefore more expensive. I somehow think an assessment on the membership will probably be in the offing.

BandB · Dec 14, 2015

If there is any county in the country that I'd expect to have difficulty getting permitted, they're in it. There are so many issues they'll have to address that will influence what they can build. Not knowing the financial situation of the club or their insurance, I have no idea if they'll be able to rebuild or not anytime soon. Assessments of members to help fund a new facility are a difficult path.

mbevins · Dec 15, 2015

BandB said:
If there is any county in the country that I'd expect to have difficulty getting permitted, they're in it. There are so many issues they'll have to address that will influence what they can build. Not knowing the financial situation of the club or their insurance, I have no idea if they'll be able to rebuild or not anytime soon. Assessments of members to help fund a new facility are a difficult path.

You are correct on all accounts. (can't speak on county issues)
However unless they have large reserves I would think it is unlikely that the members will not see some form of an assessment. That's the way it is in a private club.

Capt.Bill11 · Dec 15, 2015

catalinajack said:
Saw the Governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, on TV reacting to the loss. He stated that the State will do everything it can, whatever that is, to help the club rebuild. So, let me see, a private club, membership in which is closed to the public, may receive public funds for rebuilding? Why? That's what insurance is for. And, if the insurance is not enough, so what. Let the membership pay. My taxes should not have to pay for a private club whose membership is limited to only those who are accepted by the membership. And this guy is a Republican!

Want to bet which way the majority of the yacht club members vote?

I mean really, are you surprised when a member of either party knows what side of his bread gets buttered and by whom? :rofl:

Annapolis YC on fire

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