An investigation into a fire that destroyed a 36-foot lobster boat in Waldoboro June 21 is rapidly winding down because investigators are running out of leads.
The fire in a 65-by-40-foot metal Quonset hut type building at 3600 Friendship Road in Waldoboro is still being investigated according to Sgt. Ken Grimes of the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The front and rear wooden walls of the building owned by Reed’s cousin, Donald Simmons, were destroyed, while damage to the metal structure appeared to be limited, Grimes said he could not vouch for its structural integrity. No one was injured in the blaze.
Grimes said an examination of the scene was completed during the days immediately following the fire and that the investigation was ongoing. However, Grimes said, people are not cooperating with investigators.
“Unless somebody wants to talk with us and give us good information, we’re rapidly approaching the end of any leads we have,” Grimes said. “We haven’t closed it. As we get information we will work on it.”
Grimes said the Fire Marshal’s Office is very busy right now and must channel limited resources toward those cases where there is a higher chance of reaching a solution.
“We’re just waiting for that one phone call,” Grimes said. He asked that anyone with information contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 626-3870.
The family of Danny Reed, the disabled fisherman whose boat, the Shawna Beth, was destroyed in a fire, June 21, has opened a bank account for contributions to replace the 36-foot Wayne Beal lobster boat.
Reed’s mother, Annette Reed has opened an account at the Waldoboro branch of The First bank, for contributions to help her son replace the boat he used for lobster and tuna fishing.
Danny Reed, who is paralyzed from the chest down, said Aug. 9, the boat was uninsured because he had yet to install the special chair that allows him to fish. A motor vehicle accident in 1998 left him without the use of his legs.
During an interview with The Lincoln County News, Reed said the incident may have stemmed from a dispute between his cousin and another fisherman.
“Traps were messed with and one is blaming the other,” he said. He said he received warning of a threat to burn the building, shortly before the fire occurred.
Grimes said conflicts among fishermen within the same fishery are always considered when investigating incidents involving fishermen along the coast.
“I’ve never seen anything like it out of all the trap wars,” Reed said. He said he was preparing to call a truck to move the boat when the fire occurred. “I was warned, but I didn’t get it out in time,” he said.
Reed said he generally fishes with one or two sternmen when hauling lobster traps and also goes out for tuna as a hobby. He said he had planned to get the boat appraised for insurance after installing the special chair, and that he paid $200,000 to have the boat built.
“They used my boat for the accelerant,” he said of the fire.
Reed has been fishing since he was 9 years old and was not sure what he would do next.
“Ever since I broke my neck I’ve had my vessel,” he said. “I’ve always had fishing to look forward to.”
Donations should be addressed to Lobster boat Fund, in care of the Waldoboro branch of The First at P.O. Box B, Waldoboro, ME 04572.
