Electrical fire knocks Tokitae out of service; Clinton route down to one boat until further notice

A small electrical fire on the Tokitae knocked the vessel out of service today, leaving the Clinton-to-Mukilteo route with just one boat. According to Washington State Ferries spokesman Ian Sterling, a pipe associated with the vessel's heating system burst sometime before noon. It was located in a small room and started an "electrical fire." He described the fire as small and that passengers were never in any danger.

A small electrical fire on the Tokitae knocked the vessel out of service today, leaving the Clinton-to-Mukilteo route with just one boat.

According to Washington State Ferries spokesman Ian Sterling, a pipe associated with the vessel’s heating system burst sometime before noon. It was located in a small room and started an “electrical fire.” He described the fire as small and that passengers were never in any danger.

“This was literally a pipe in a closet,” he said.

Police and other emergency services were called to the Mukilteo Terminal, but the fire was already extinguished by the time they arrived. It was put out by ferry personnel, Sterling said.

“They did what they were trained to do and put it out,” he said.

While the fire was small, it was enough to put the boat out of service. It left the Mukilteo Terminal and Sterling said he believes it’s headed to Clinton for repairs.

He could not provide an estimate of when the boat will return to service and recommended people take the disruption into consideration when making travel plans on and off the island.