On Sunday, November 27, 2022, there was a massive fire at the Seaport Marine in Mystic, CT. The fire started around 9 p.m., with sirens coming from the main street heading towards downtown. They roared for almost an hour and stopped close to 10 p.m. There were no casualties or injuries, but the fire did destroy businesses; Red 36 and Prestige Yacht Sales, along with a one-family home and a few of the residents’ boats in the marina, were damaged. 

          The Mystic Fire department with assistants from neighboring towns like Norwich, Groton, Stonington, and North Stonington were able to get the fire under control by 12:30 a.m. 

          According to News8, “ …it took more than four hours for 18 departments and more than 60 firefighters to put out the flames.”

          Witnesses reported seeing smoke and orange colors coating the sky, even in the dark of night. That night residents from Groton and Stonigton could see the flames burning down one of the Seaport Marine buildings.

          Mrs. Megan Granfield, a Mystic resident, says, “You always hear about big fires or events happening in other towns, but it always strikes differently when it’s within the town where you live.”

          Mr. Mark Fernadez, homeowner of the house destroyed in the fire, told local news channels that he was glad to have made it out alive with his dog before the fire had really spreaded.

          Even though dealing with an almost death experience, Fernadez has taken up a new positive outlook on life to begin to move forward.

          Fernadez says, “We don’t experience things like this often and we’ve come complacent and busy in our daily lives and sometimes it takes something to realize how lucky we are and the wonderful people we’re surrounded by.”

          There is still an ongoing investigation on what caused the fire. However, the Mystic Fire department has said that the fire spread quickly due to the wind that night and the boats’ propane tanks.

          The buildings and homes that were close by were also known as one of the older models in town, so they were more susceptible to damage. 

          Though this has been a tragedy for those involved, it has not broken the Mystic town community.

          Granfield says, “Events like this, as unfortunate as they are, absolutely bring communities together. From the very beginning, the town immediately rallied to come together and assisted in the recovery process.”