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Last updated on Monday, February 16, 2015
(EVANSVILLE) - Three boats sank and two more vessels were damaged in an overnight fire at the Inland Marina.
Crews responded to the fire after midnight on Saturday. Several agencies remained on the scene to clean up an oil spill.
Officials say people were cleaning a boat docked in the marina when flames broke out.
Right now investigators are working to verify the workers statements.
The fire went to a second alarm, which means other companies were called in for more water and manpower to put out the fire.
Officials are still investigating the cause of the boat fire.
Richard Howard with the Evansville Fire Department says the cause of the fire is still undetermined.
Howard says the fire caused over $2 million worth of damage. He says the cause is still undetermined due to the large monetary loss and strange events leading up to the fire."Basically a combination of errors took place that led up to this fire," says Howard. "We had an electrical problem, we had some kerosene tipped over because we had workers inside the boat cleaning it I believe that the boat was to be sold today."
Police arrested two people during the fire.
Police say both suspects tried to cross the pedestrian bridge to reach the boat docks. Several firefighters were trying to keep the two from interfering with crews who were battling the flames.
Investigators say firefighters had to request police assistance when Edward Parker began to push his way past the crews on the perimeter.
Police report that Edward Parker and Katherine Riecken-Parker refused to leave the area and resisted arrest.
Authorities say Edward Parker was taken into custody after an officer used a Taser on him. Police add Parker had kicked an officer in the face while resisting arrest. Officers say a portable breath test revealed a bac of .196%.
Edward Parker is charged with battery on a public safety official, resisting law enforcement, public intoxication, and interfering with a fireman.
Riecken-Parker was arrested for public intoxication, resisting law enforcement, and interfering with a fireman. Police say Riecken-Parker is the daughter of the Inland Marina owners.
Both individuals were taken to the Vanderburgh Co. Jail.
Authorities also detained Ron Riecken, Katherine's dad and Evansville mayoral candidate Gail Riecken's husband, but they did not arrest him.
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