A 100-foot luxury yacht laden with fireworks and approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition caught fire and sank in Marina del Rey on Wednesday night, prompting a large-scale response from the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The vessel, named “The Admiral,” erupted into flames while docked in the man-made harbor, located about 5 miles south of Santa Monica. Witnesses reported seeing fireworks illuminating the night sky as the blaze intensified, sending plumes of black smoke into the air.
Two people aboard the yacht escaped without injury, according to fire department officials.
Despite initial efforts to extinguish the flames from the exterior, the fire continued to burn inside the vessel, resistant to water hoses. The yacht, valued at nearly $1 million, sank into the 800-acre marina approximately two hours after the fire began, around 10:30 p.m.
Lynn Rose, a local resident, told NBC Los Angeles, “I saw it fully engulfed in flames and like many of us living here, heard an explosion and saw fireworks coming off it, and more flames.”
Firefighting efforts were complicated by a propane source fueling the boat. Officials deployed a floating barrier to prevent debris and diesel fuel from contaminating the surrounding waters.
The Admiral, built by Broward Marine in 1986, featured four cabins including a master suite and could accommodate 10 guests and three crew members. It was last listed for sale in 2018 for $985,000, according to Boat International.
As of Thursday morning, officials had not determined the cause of the fire. The identity of the yacht’s owner has not been disclosed.
The incident raised concerns among nearby residents about the potential spread of fire to other vessels in the marina. The presence of ammunition and fireworks on board added to the complexity and danger of the situation.
