Crews battle massive boat blaze in Yaletown
The Vancouver fire department and the coast guard were called to a massive boat fire at Yaletown’s Quayside Marina on Thursday.
The fire broke out at around noon.
A plume of thick, black smoke from the pleasure-craft blaze could be seen for kilometres.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but witnesses reported hearing the blast.
“It was such a loud bang ... My son thought it was thunder, but it was a huge explosion,” said Mary Zilba, whose condo overlooks the marina. “I ran over to the window and there was a massive cloud of black smoke. People are saying that lightning hit the boat, but it’s speculation.”
Ash rained down on neighbouring vessels in the marina, including the $30-million, 200-foot super yacht, After Eight, but the flames were contained to just one boat.
“All the other boats were getting out of there,” said Zilba. “The After Eight took off so fast ... I couldn’t believe how fast its crew scrambled to get the yacht out of there.”
False Creek Ferries suspended water-taxi service to Quayside Marina due to the fire.
No injuries were reported.