Lake Dallas storage building catches fire

DENTON COUNTY, Texas - Firefighters battled a five-alarm fire at an RV and boat storage facility in Lake Dallas Thursday morning.

The fire broke out at the Hickory Creek Storage buildings near the intersection of Hook and Main streets around 8:30 a.m.

Video from SKY 4 and FOX 4 viewers showed thick smoke pouring from the building where 36 of the 38 units were burned.

Larry Katz came to check on his boat. He's only seen the fire from the air but is clinging to every thread of hope.

"I think there's a one percent chance it's not a loss,” the boat owner said. “It’s why I'm down here to check it out, praying."

Katz was joined by a couple of friends on the long, anxious walk to the fire scene. His friend Randall Aguirre recently moved his boat out of storage.

"I dodged a massive bullet,” Aguirre said.

When they get to the fire, it was worse than they imagined. Motor homes were burned down to the tires. A limousine had gone its last mile. Katz had to face the reality that his $140,000 boat was there in the rubble. It was a rare 30-foot sports performance boat.

"Had it built in 2008. Liked it a lot. Lot of good times on it. Irreplaceable.,” Katz said. “Insurance and all that doesn't matter. Irreplaceable. Don't make them anymore."

Firefighters are working to determine how the fire started. Once the fire began, it spread quickly. Firefighters were able to protect two other buildings from the fire.