× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

A large marina fire in eastern Henrico County sent flaming boats adrift on the James River and emergency crews from around the region rushing to respond Friday.

About 3:30 p.m., Henrico fire Capt. Taylor Goodman said the fire had been marked under control, but the cause still was not clear.

Henrico fire marshals will lead an investigation that could take days, or possibly weeks, said Goodman, who said it was too early to speculate about whether the fire was arson.

Tony Wolpert, who lives in a house several hundred feet from the marina, said he noticed from his window a billow of smoke near the marina about 7 a.m.

He ran down to the marina and saw some boats on fire, and smoke filled the air.

He called 911.

With no one else in sight and unsure whether anyone was aboard any of the boats, Wolpert said he ran up and down the docks screaming as loud as he could: “Fire! Fire! Get out!”

He said he saw at least three people get out of their boats after his warning.

One man told Wolpert he was asleep and did not realize there was a fire. The other two survivors, a couple, also were unaware of the fire, he said.