A luxury yacht valued at nearly $1 million sank in Marina del Rey, California, after fireworks brought aboard exploded, sparking a massive fire. The 100-foot-long yacht, named The Admiral, was docked in the marina when authorities responded to reports of a fire at 8:33 p.m. on Wednesday. The Los Angeles County Fire Department stated that two people were on board when the fire broke out, but they managed to evacuate safely. One person sustained a minor injury — a cut on their arm.
The fire, caused by an explosion of fireworks on board, ignited around 1,000 rounds of ammunition stored on the vessel. The situation became dangerous as the ammunition and fireworks intensified the blaze. Officials are still investigating the cause of the explosion that triggered the fire.
Onlookers described the chaotic scene, with loud explosions, smoke, and flames visible from the marina. One witness posted a video on social media platform X, capturing the fire and noting how fireworks appeared to shoot into the sky. “Large boat fire in Marina del Rey… there are loud popping sounds – looked like it could be fireworks,” the user wrote.
Footage from local news showed firefighters working hard to contain the fire as fireworks continued to erupt. Despite their efforts, the yacht was nearly submerged by 11 p.m., listing to one side before eventually tipping over into the water.
The following morning, the U.S. Coast Guard focused on containing hazardous materials and preventing environmental damage. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Omar Borges noted that the vessel had a capacity of 6,000 gallons of fuel and had recently been filled with 4,000 gallons of diesel. Authorities are working to assess how much fuel leaked into the water.
Although no wildlife harm has been reported, the Coast Guard is monitoring the area for environmental impact. Officials also confirmed that air quality readings showed no harmful fumes, making the area safe for residents.
The Admiral was originally listed for sale in 2018 at $985,000. Designed by Broward Marine in 1986, the yacht could accommodate up to 10 guests and three crew members, boasting four cabins, including a master suite, and luxury amenities such as flat-screen televisions and en suite facilities.
