A massive fire broke out the Annapolis Yacht Club on Saturday as hundreds of visitors were in town for the holiday festivities. Nearly 100 firefighters responded to a three - alarm fire Saturday afternoon at the club. According to Capt. John Bowes of the Annapolis Fire Marshal's Office, two of them suffered minor injuries, but no civilians were hurt.
The fire damaged the second and the third floors, whilst smoke destroyed the rest of the yacht club.
"It's a huge loss," Annapolis Mayor Mike Pantelides said Sunday afternoon after walking through the building with Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Anne Arundel County Executive Steven R. Schuh. "It's completely destroyed inside."
Firefighters continue to investigate the cause and extent of the damage to the Annapolis Yacht Club. The building lacked sprinklers, Capt. John Bowes concluded , "which is probably why it got so bad."
The fire will affect the entire community and not just the club's 1,600 members and 150 employees, Pantelides said. On Monday, a structural engineer will evaluate the club to see whether it needs to be taken down completely before rebuilding.
Saturday evening's "Parade of Lights", a beloved annual Annapolis tradition, was cancelled. According to organizers, hotel rooms facing the water were booked in advance and restaurants reserved six months before the parade. What started 33 years ago with people on a few boats singing Christmas carols has become one of the biggest events in the city. But this year the residents and those who wanted to watch the parade saw the Annapolis Yacht Club burning instead.
A statement thanking staff members and first-responders for quick action that helped prevent any serious injuries was released.
Gov. Larry Hogan said the state will provide "every possible assistance" to the club. Managers are committed to rebuild in the current location and in the interim are exploring opportunities to relocate elements of its operation.
The fire damaged the second and the third floors, whilst smoke destroyed the rest of the yacht club.
"It's a huge loss," Annapolis Mayor Mike Pantelides said Sunday afternoon after walking through the building with Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Anne Arundel County Executive Steven R. Schuh. "It's completely destroyed inside."
Firefighters continue to investigate the cause and extent of the damage to the Annapolis Yacht Club. The building lacked sprinklers, Capt. John Bowes concluded , "which is probably why it got so bad."
The fire will affect the entire community and not just the club's 1,600 members and 150 employees, Pantelides said. On Monday, a structural engineer will evaluate the club to see whether it needs to be taken down completely before rebuilding.
Saturday evening's "Parade of Lights", a beloved annual Annapolis tradition, was cancelled. According to organizers, hotel rooms facing the water were booked in advance and restaurants reserved six months before the parade. What started 33 years ago with people on a few boats singing Christmas carols has become one of the biggest events in the city. But this year the residents and those who wanted to watch the parade saw the Annapolis Yacht Club burning instead.
A statement thanking staff members and first-responders for quick action that helped prevent any serious injuries was released.
Gov. Larry Hogan said the state will provide "every possible assistance" to the club. Managers are committed to rebuild in the current location and in the interim are exploring opportunities to relocate elements of its operation.