Fire destroys building at Eliot boatyard

ELIOT – A fire early Saturday at a boat repair and storage yard along the Piscataqua River destroyed a building containing several boats and the company’s office.

No injuries were reported in the blaze at Patten’s Yacht Yard.

Firefighters responded shortly after 1 a.m. after getting a call from a nearby resident about smoke.

Firefighters were concerned about maintaining sufficient water pressure, Fire Chief Jay Muzeroll said.

“Our biggest concern when we knew we had lost the building and the contents of the building was just to maintain enough water to save the boats that are outside the building,” he said.

Firefighters from Kittery, Kittery Point and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard assisted the Eliot department.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to assist in investigating the cause of the fire.