HISTORIC STERNWHEELER BURNS ON LITTLE KANAWHA

(08/06/2003)
If you were in Parkersburg Tuesday evening, you likely saw billows of smoke coming up from the Little Kanawha River.

At least four fire departments had a battle on their hands containing a fire that destroyed the renovated sternwheeler "Dixie."

Mineral Wells, Parkersburg, Lubeck, and Blennerhassett fire departments helped contain the blaze, but the historic boat was a total loss.

The sternwheeler had been undergoing renovations for several years, and was scheduled to make an appearance at the Parkersburg Homecoming. It was built in 1937.