Fire at Conn. Yacht Club That Destroyed 26 Boats Being Probed

Local authorities are investigating whether a yacht club fire that heavily damaged 26 boats was intentionally set.

The fire swept through the Miamogue Yacht Club’s boat yard off Seaview Avenue in Bridgeport shortly after 2 a.m. Friday. It took firefighters about 90 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

Fire Marshal Bruce Collins said the damage estimate was at least $1 million. Authorities said at least eight boats were destroyed and described the fire as “suspicious.” Several boats were also broken into, police said.

Paul Lengyel, the club’s commodore, said it appeared that vandals cut through a back fence at the club.

The yacht club is nearly a century old and has 275 members.

About 30 firefighters responded to the blaze.

“Wind played a factor,” said Christopher Martin, provisional assistant fire chief. “It was blowing toward the water, which helped the men get the blaze under control so quickly.”