A luxury Californian yacht loaded with fireworks and 1,000 rounds of ammunition burst into flames before sinking in the waters off Marina del Rey on Wednesday night.
The Admiral, a 100-foot twin-diesel engine boat, was anchored in a man-made harbor when a fire broke out, prompting a massive response by the L.A. Fire Department.
Just two hours after the fire began, the nearly million-dollar boat sank in an 800-acre harbor five miles south of Santa Monica.
The fire department said two people escaped the fire without injuries.
Witnesses saw flames erupt from the 100-foot-high boat while black smoke from fireworks billowed into the sky.
Efforts to extinguish the fire from the outside appeared to be successful, but the fire burning inside seemed resistant, even to water hoses, as the fire continued to rage from the inside. According to KTLA.
Dozens of first responders and curious community members looked at the downed boat lying in the marina while crews continued to pump water over the wreckage.
Neighbors feared the fire would spread to nearby boats and possibly start a chain reaction.
“I saw it completely engulfed in flames and like many of us that live here, heard an explosion and saw fireworks coming out of it, and saw more flames and then came here and videotaped it,” resident Lynn Rose told NBC Los Angeles,
The boat was reportedly being fueled by a propane source, which “complicated” firefighting efforts. Authorities installed a floating physical barrier known as a boom to prevent debris, including diesel fuel, from contaminating the water.
It began to tilt on its side, forcing officials to evacuate everyone from the dock. The destroyed boat sank into the water at about 10:30 p.m., while fires continued to burn below deck.
Officials had not said as of Thursday morning what started the fire.
Built in 1986 by Broward Marine, the Admiral features four cabins, including a master suite, can accommodate up to 10 guests along with three crew members, and was last listed in 2018 for $985,000, according to the report. Boat International.
Before its terrible destruction, this boat could reach a maximum speed of 18 knots.
The identity of the owner was not immediately revealed.
