At 2:27 AM on May 4, 1986, the Bayview Fire Protection District was dispatched to Boileous Marina on Lake Pend Oreille for a structure fire. Callers reported loud explosions and a large fire; one explosion was described as feeling like a sonic boom. Units on scene found a 33-foot boat and two-story float home on fire with 30-40 foot flames. The fire subsequently destroyed the boat and home with damage extending to the dock and a boat shed on one side and another float home on the other. The water level at the point of the fire was 70-80 feet deep.
Gerald Franz, 60, responded to the fire and complained of smoke inhalation and nausea while stretching hose on the dock. He was wearing a protective coat and boots without breathing apparatus. While walking back to the shore for treatment by EMTs, Franz collapsed on the dock at 2:47 AM. He was transported to Kootenai Medical Center by ambulance. He died three hours later from a heart attack. Franz was a commissioner of the Bayview Fire Protection District since its formation in 1982.
Gary and Scott MacDonald, owners of MacDonalds Resort across the bay, provided valuable assistance. They responded a work boat with a pump over to the fire and prevented it from spreading down the dock. They kept the fire at bay while the firefighters stretched hose to the end of the 630' dock. Wally Wright of the Scenic Bay Resort also assisted with a similar boat and pump.
The darkness confused firefighters who had only flashlights. Power to the dock was shut off shortly after the fire was reported. The darkness hampered firefighting efforts and one firefighter actually stepped off the dock becuase of it combined with the smoke.
Two other firefighters were also treated for smoke inhalation, one transported and treated at the hospital. The fire was deemed suspicious and the owner of the float home suspected that it was intentionally set. The actual cause of the fire is still unknown and related documentation could not be found after a search of fire district records.
