Saranac Lake Boat shop destroyed by fire

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Several high-priced, classic boats were lost in the fire that destroyed Spencer Boatworks. P-R Photo / Jack LaDuke
This was the only wall left standing after flames tore through Spencer Boatworks early Saturday morning. P-R Photo / Jack LaDuke
Firefighters sift through debris from the blaze that leveled Spencer Boatworks in Saranac Lake early Saturday morning. P-R Photo / Jack LaDuke

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May 28, 2011

Anonymous Press-Republican The Press Republican Sat May 28, 2011, 07:45 PM EDT

SARANAC LAKE — SARANAC LAKE — Fire destroyed a popular local business here early Saturday morning.

Spencer Boatworks, which designs, restores and builds mahogany boats, caught fire around 1 a.m.

Early reports indicated that the business was struck by lightning, but the official cause is still pending investigation, according to a news release from the Saranac Lake Fire Department.

Several high-priced, classic boats were lost in the blaze, which leveled the large, wood building.

The owner’s wife, Stacey Annis, said that while her husband’s business was insured, there were several antiques lost in the blaze.

“Some things just can’t be replaced,” she said.

It was estimated that the damage could total up to $2 million.

The owner, Jay Annis, couldn’t be reached for comment Saturday evening.

The blaze at 956 Route 3 was reported at 12:57 a.m. by a neighbor.

When Fire Chief Brendan Keough arrived, the building was fully involved with flames visible through the roof.

“It was an old building, old construction,” Keough said. “It was pretty well involved when we got there. It had a jump-start on us.”

Firefighters attempted to attack the blaze from both ends, using 750,000 gallons of water from the Saranac River on the Bloomingdale and Saranac Lake sides.

They also brought in their Snorkle aerial equipment, an articulating boom with its own nozzle capable of dousing the flames with large volumes of water from an elevated position.

Mutual aid was provided by Paul Smiths, Lake Placid, Tupper Lake, Bloomingdale and St. Regis Falls.

All departments were back in service by 11:43 a.m.