When a blaze engulfed the Kolodziejski family’s crabbing boat on Stoney Creek last Wednesday, the loss hit far beyond the vessel itself. The fire, which officials say was likely sparked by gas fumes reaching a space‑heater pilot light, left the boat a total loss and cost the family close to $25,000.
How the fire started
Scott Kolodziejski, founder of Family’s Crustacean Station, was aboard the boat when he turned on a space heater to warm the hydraulic system – a routine he performs each morning. He then topped off the gas tank, a habit he says he follows regularly. According to Kolodziejski, fumes from the freshly filled tank ignited when they reached the heater’s pilot flame, sending the boat into flames.
Kolodziejski managed to pat out the flames on his clothing and attempted to fight the blaze with extinguishers and water, but the fire quickly outpaced his efforts. He called 911, and by the time the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, Maryland Natural Resources Police, and the U.S. Coast Guard arrived, the fire was too intense to control. Firefighters ultimately pumped enough water to sink the boat, putting out the blaze but confirming the vessel’s total loss.
Financial impact and lack of insurance
The Kolodziejski family now faces nearly $25,000 in losses, a sum made more painful by the fact that the boat was uninsured. “I mean, she’s burned. It’s definitely not salvageable,” Kolodziejski said, noting the emotional weight of watching his livelihood go up in flames.
Family and community response
For the Kolodziejski family, the business is more than a source of income; it is a way of life. Candice Knight, Scott’s wife, received the news while at work and described the devastation of losing the family’s primary income source that supports their four children. “We’ve worked so hard to build this business to what it is, and it was just an absolute nightmare,” she said.
Neighbors and community members quickly rallied, setting up an online fundraiser that has already begun to ease the financial strain. The family expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support, emphasizing that the assistance will help them determine their next steps.
Determination to rebuild
Kolodziejski’s love for crabbing runs deep. He began the enterprise a decade ago with a simple kayak, four crab traps, and a makeshift rig. “I started this business on a kayak with four crab traps on a sand bar… and worked all the way up to where we are now,” he recalled.
Despite the setback, Kolodziejski remains resolute. “I’ll go out and get a kayak again if I have to,” he said. “It’s not a job, it’s a lifestyle. I don’t know where we go from here. God’s got a plan. That’s all I know.”
Looking ahead
The family is now evaluating options to replace the boat, whether through a new purchase, a rebuilt vessel, or a return to a smaller kayak operation. With community backing and a steadfast belief in their calling, the Kolodziejski family aims to get back on the water as soon as possible, preserving both their livelihood and the tradition of crabbing that defines their life in Pasadena.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
