Superyacht worth £6m with 8,000 litres of fuel onboard goes up in flames in Devon harbour
Superyacht worth £6m with 8,000 litres of fuel onboard goes up in flames in Devon harbour and burns for three hours in spectacular blaze as residents are warned of hazardous fumes
The superyacht, which is called the Rendezvous, caught fire before midday Firefighters say the massive yacht is thought to be carrying 8,000 litres of fuelRoads have been closed, while the harbour and water front have also been shut The huge plume of black smoke can be seen rising into air across South Devon
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Fire crews are battling a raging inferno after a £6 million 85ft superyacht that is carrying 8,000 litres of fuel went up in flames in a Devon harbour.
Firefighters are at Torquay harbourside after the luxury boat, which is called the Rendezvous, caught fire shortly before midday today.
The flames and smoke caused by the blaze left some people trapped at the far end of the pier, according to one witness, with police confirming the boat drifted from its mooring.
Police say no one is reported to have been injured in the fire, which has forced the closure of the harbour and waterfront while crews desperately try to put out the flames.
People living nearby are being warned to keep their doors and windows closed to protect themselves from the hazardous fumes.
Fire crews are currently on Torquay harbourside after a £6million superyacht went up in flames
According to a spokesperson from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, five fire engines are on the scene after the 85ft princess motorboat caught fire.
One witness told Devon Live they saw explosions shortly after the fire began while the boat was alongside the pontoon.
They said: ‘Ropes burnt through and it drifted into pier. Firemen took trolleys and pumps along pontoons but water not reaching.
‘Some people are trapped on the other end of the pier and can’t get back. Firemen are running along the pier. Still huge flames.’
Another described the blaze ‘like a fire ball’.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the yacht contains approximately 8,000 litres of fuel and that crews are battling the flames.
A spokesperson said: ‘Crews again confirm one 85-foot yacht well alight alongside Princess Pier which is also involved in fire, all persons are accounted for and the immediate surrounding area has been evacuated.
‘The yacht contains approximately 8000 Litres of diesel fuel, crews are currently at work using four Breathing Apparatus wearers, one Compressed Air Foam Jet, two 45mm Jets, two Light Portable Pumps, water relay is currently being carried out by an open water source as well as a street hydrant being used.’
Smoke has been seen all across South Devon and as far as Newton Abbot and Shaldon, with the fire service saying they called for extra crews before arriving at the scene due to the sheer amount of smoke.
In a statement Devon and Cornwall Police said no one one was reported to be injured.
‘Police were called at 12.10pm today to Princess Pier in Torquay following reports of a fire on a yacht moored in the marina,’ it said.
‘The boat is believed to be well alight and had broken from the mooring. It has now been secured by the Fire service near the pier.
‘There have been no reported injuries at this time.
‘Emergency services remain at the scene where the incident is ongoing.
‘Due to levels of smoke and fumes we are asking residents in the area to keep their doors and windows shut at this time. Members of the public are also urged to avoid the area and beaches are being cleared by officers for public safety.’
Police have closed a number of roads in the area while fire crews dealing with the raging inferno, including the promenade and waterfront areas.
Roads traffic and monitoring service Inrix reported: ‘A379 Torbay Road in both directions blocked, queueing traffic due to fire services activity from Torquay Harbour to Road.’
A witness said: ‘It started off 15 mins ago alongside pontoon. There were explosions’
One witness described the blaze ‘like a fire ball’. It is currently unknown if anyone has been injured in the fire
Smoke has been seen all across South Devon and as far as Newton Abbot and Shaldon
