2 Large Yachts Destroyed in Predawn Fire at Florida Marina

The Associated Press
By The Associated Press
November 17, 2019US News
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2 Large Yachts Destroyed in Predawn Fire at Florida Marina
Two multimillion-dollar yachts were destroyed in a fire in Florida on Nov. 16, 2019. (Courtesy of Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue)

Authorities say a huge fire has destroyed two large yachts in South Florida, sending flames skyward and leaving millions of dollars in losses.

No injuries were reported on Nov. 16 pre-dawn fire.

Fort Lauderdale Battalion Chief Stephen Gollan told news outlets the fire started in one of the yachts and that winds caused it to spread to the other luxury vessel. He said one of the yachts was worth $8 million, while the other was estimated at between $12 and $16 million.

Fort Lauderdale Yacht Fire
Two multimillion-dollar yachts were destroyed in a fire in Florida on Nov. 16, 2019. (Courtesy of Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue)

About 100 firefighters fought the blaze at the Universal Marine Center in Fort Lauderdale. It took crews about four hours to bring the fire under control.

Crews were still on the scene of the fire Sunday, working to remove scaffolding surrounding the boats and extinguish hot spots, according to a Twitter post by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue.

The yachts appear to have been under construction prior to the fire, indicated by scaffolding and tarps surrounding the boats.

After the hot spots have been snuffed out, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said they will begin salvage efforts and an investigation into what caused the blaze.

Gollan says one of the yachts was undergoing renovations. The fire official says authorities are investigating reports by witnesses that they heard explosions.

The CNN Wire contributed to this report.

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