A £6million superyacht which caught fire in a marina sparking a major incident has sank, potentially leaking nine tonnes of diesel into the blue waters around the UK.
The alarm was raised in Torquay, Devon, at around noon when the 85ft vessel caught alight and drifted from its moorings, sparking the closure of several local businesses and warnings to locals.
Despite the best efforts of fire crews the luxury yacht sank at around 4pm.
The Environment Agency fears it could spark a mini-ecological disaster as it had nearly a full tank of fuel aboard which is thought to have leaked into the sea.
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "The boat is believed to have caught alight and broke away from the mooring but was later secured by the Fire Service near the pier. There have been no reported injuries.
"Shortly before 4pm the vessel became fully submerged underwater. The Harbourmaster supported by the Environmental Agency will look to safely recover the vessel in due course.
"All road closures and majority of cordons have now been lifted and the public are able to access the area again. One cordon remains in place at the pier.
"Enquiries remain ongoing to establish the cause of the fire, which is currently being treated as unexplained."
The Environment Agency says around nine tonnes of diesel may have been spilled into the ocean as a result of the incident and officials are working to limit the pollution.
They tweeted: "With yacht now sunk, and with approx 9 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.
"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."
A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service earlier said: "Crews confirm 1 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.
"85ft motorboat on fire. Fire crews called at 11.57am. Liaising with the harbourmaster.
"The yacht contains approximately 8000 Litres of diesel fuel, crews are currently at work using 4 Breathing Apparatus wearers, 1 Compressed Air Foam Jet, 2 45mm Jets, 2 Light Portable Pumps.
"Water relay is currently being carried out by an open water source as well as a street hydrant being used."
The statement went on to list a number of road closures which had been put in place.
An witness to the blaze said things had escalated over the course of the afternoon.
"85ft yacht in fire. A few hours ago," they tweeted, along with a long shot of the boat harboured by the pier, taken from a nearby shoreline.
"Things have slightly escalated since this," they continued.
"Whole front of Torquay now closed, including all businesses."
HM Coastguard Area Commander for South Devon & South-East Cornwall Coastline Drew Parkinson took to Twitter to urge locals to keep away from the harbour.
"We currently have Coastguards from across Devon & Cornwall assisting @DC_Police, with a full closure of Torquay Seafront," Parkinson wrote.
"Please AVOID THE AREA."
Another eye-witness in the area told Devon Live : "Massive fire near Pavilion I think on Torquay Harbourside."
Plumes of thick black smoke can be seeing pouring from the yacht,
Another eye-witness said the fire broke out around 12pm on the boat, which sat in the water alongside a pontoon in the harbour.
"There were explosions," 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."
According to roads traffic and monitoring service, Inrix, the incident had caused traffic blocks in both directions along Torbay Road.
