A superyacht estimated to be worth £6m has sunk after firefighters battled to extinguish a fire on the vessel while it was moored in a marina in south-west England.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) said there was approximately 8,000 litres of fuel on the 85ft boat that led to people being evacuated from the marina in Torquay.
By around 6pm, the fire was out and crews were working on damping down the pier, a DSFRS spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added: “The boat has been sunk so it [the fire] is out now. It’s been handed over now to the Environment Agency and the harbourmaster.”
Fire crews were called just before midday on Saturday to reports of the yacht on fire. More than two hours after the incident it was still ablaze as multiple fire crews attempted to put out the fire.
At 3pm the fire service advised all residents in the area near the marina to keep their windows and doors closed due to “noxious fumes”, adding: “Crews are making steady progress extinguishing the fire.”
Crews used the harbour masters boat to help try to put out the flames.
No injuries have been reported. The Environment Agency South West said the focus had shifted to “pollution response” after the boat went under.
It tweeted: “Our officers have been checking air quality around Torquay harbour this afternoon following the yacht fire, which was declared a major incident.
“Thought to be no real issues with air quality, but we’re keeping an eye on the situation.
“With yacht now sunk, and with (approximately nine) tonnes of diesel on board, focus now on pollution. Pollution response led by harbour master. Our officers are helping with advice and guidance on bathing water quality etc.”
The coastguard area commander for South Devon and South East Cornwall coastline said it was assisting Devon and Cornwall police in closing Torquay seafront.
Witnesses reported “thick acrid plumes of smoke bellowing from Torquay Harbour”.
Georgina Cleasby, who was cycling home when she saw the fire, told ITV: “We stood and watched for around 10 minutes until the smoke began to affect our chests.”
“There was so much smoke it obscured the sun. We heard a few minor explosions and could also see flames.”
Grace Kedzior-Macdonough, 20, was visiting the seaside town with her partner when she heard “bangs or explosions” coming from the harbour.
She told the PA news agency she saw crew in neighbouring vessels spraying hoses to stop them catching alight as the fire was “spitting” flames out on to the water.
“We were just confused at first because we were just sat round the harbour and there was just this black smoke coming from nowhere.
“It was just getting worse because it broke off from the harbour because the ropes burned off and that’s when it travelled down the bridge.”
Devon and Cornwall police previously said the boat was “well alight and had broken from the mooring” but had since been secured by the fire service.
They said nearby beaches were also being evacuated for public safety and there were multiple road closures in place, including along the promenade and waterfront areas and parts of Torbay Road, Belgrave Road and Shedden Hill.
Fire services said the cause of the fire was unknown and that an investigation will follow.
