Multi-Million Dollar Yacht Burns, Partially Sinks in Marina del Rey Harbor

MARINA DEL REY, Calif., Sept. 19 (KNN) — A multi-million dollar yacht erupted into flames and partially sank Wednesday evening while docked in Marina del Rey.

A 911 call was placed shortly after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday regarding a boat fire in Basin A of Marina del Rey Harbor.

When the Los Angeles County Fire Department crews arrived, they found a 100-foot private boat on fire. Initial reports indicated a person was trapped, but after an assessment by firefighters, no one was found trapped, and no injuries were reported, according to Captain Pono Barnes, Ocean Lifeguard Specialist for the LACoFD.

Barnes said firefighters fought the blaze with water and foam, keeping a delicate balance while extinguishing the flames without sinking the boat. The flames were fought on the docked boat’s landside and in the water.

The boat partially sank in the slip but was still attached to the dock. Crews went to work protecting and minimizing any environmental impact, trying to keep it contained.

Barnes said the cause of the fire is not known at this time. Explosions were heard as the boat burned and were initially thought to be fireworks. However, Barnes said there were munitions stored onboard the boat and were potentially going off inside the vessel.

Amel Kharchenko, Video Journalist / KNN