Eight people died on Monday morning in a fire that raced along the Tennessee River at Scottsboro, Ala.
A man said his daughter and five grandchildren are among the victims.
Seven other people were hospitalized.
Officials said 35 boats were destroyed. Most of the vessels docked at the Jackson County Park were houseboats.
Witnesses said they could hear cries coming from the boats, but there was no way to rescue those who were stranded along the dock.