Nov. 20. A sailboat rests on the bottom of Lake Norman and the burned-out remnants of a pontoon boat sit on dry land at Kings Point Marina where an early-morning fire could have been much worse.

Hundreds of boats are lined up in slips with only finger piers separating them.

Fast work by the Huntersville and Cornelius fire departments prevented the fire from spreading. Concrete decking on the piers and finger piers also limited spread.

First responders on the scene said a fisherman spotted a glow around 3 am and called in the fire.

At 8 am Cornelius Police were waiting for the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshall to arrive to determine a cause.

In a Facebook post, Cornelius Fire Dept. said firefighters cut nearby boats loose and got water on the fire quickly. “This led to the fire being contained and not devastating the marina. A marina fire is a scenario that we are always planning for and discussing.”

Kings Point is off West Catawba opposite Robbins Park.

Mast of sunken sailboat is near the stern of the fire boat