Yacht loaded with fireworks, ammo goes up in flames

A 100-foot yacht docked in Marina del Rey that had fireworks aboard erupted in flames Wednesday night.

Crews with the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to reports of the blaze at 2201 Basin A just after 8:30 p.m. and told KTLA that two passengers onboard at the time of the fire were able to escape without injury.

It’s unclear exactly how the fire started, but Sky5 reporter Gil Leyvas said the yacht’s owner reportedly told firefighters that in addition to fireworks, there were approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition on the starboard side of the vessel, presumably below deck.

In footage posted to the Citizen App, heavy flames could be seen engulfing the vessel as firefighters pulled into the area and began dousing the flames from the street, a firefighting boat and the docks.

As crews worked to contain the blaze, which threatened nearby boats and structures, fireworks began exploding from the vessel.

Aerial footage captured by Sky5 showed the large boat, named The Admiral, sustained heavy damage from the fire.

Even as firefighters knocked down the worst of the blaze and dense black smoke billowed off the vessel, which began listing to the side, flames could still be seen burning below deck.

Just before 10:30 p.m., Sky5 captured aerial footage of The Admiral sinking as water from firefighters weighed the vessel down, causing it to take on even more water.

First responders had set up a boom in the area where the boat was docked to capture any contaminants, including diesel fuel, coming from the vessel as it was sinking.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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