Race to prevent pollution off the coast of Devon after huge fire sank superyacht
Firefighters say the vessel moored in Torquay was carrying 8,000 litres of fuel
Last updated 29th May 2022
Efforts are being made to prevent pollution off the coast of Devon, after a massive fire sank a superyacht.
Firefighters say the 85ft vessel, which was moored at a marina in Torquay when it went up in flames, was carrying around 8,000 litres of fuel.
The blaze, which saw a nearby beach and roads evacuated, was declared a major incident by emergency services.
Dramatic footage on social media showed thick plumes of black smoke billowing across the harbour and flames enveloping the boat.
No injuries were reported but the harbour was temporarily brought to a standstill, with fears over a large amount of diesel on the yacht.
A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the yacht contained "approximately 8,000 litres of diesel fuel".
Witnesses described seeing the flames burn through the rope mooring the boat, cutting it adrift so it floated along the marina before hitting a bridge, which acted as a barricade.
It later sank and by 6pm firefighters were damping down the pier, DSFRS said.
Torquay-based musician David Balmer, 58, said the sinking raised fresh concerns about fuel on the boat leaking into the water.
"That could create another hazard in the harbour. They’re worried about the fuel getting into the water and into the harbour, which is obviously the last thing you want,” he told the PA new agency.
"There were masses of people around. It was engulfed in flames and there was this huge cloud of black smoke.
"It was quite a spectacle, it was just an unbelievable sight".
One witness said onlookers had been told to leave the area because "there might be an explosion" and were moved to a safe distance away.
After the sinking, the case was handed over to the Environment Agency and Harbour Master.
The Environment Agency said its officers were helping with advice and guidance on bathing water and, on Saturday, issued two pollution alerts for the nearest beaches to the marina.
It is understood more pollution recovery equipment is expected to arrive from Birmingham on Sunday.
An EA spokesperson said: "Our officers are providing assistance to the Harbour Master Authority (HMA) to contain the oil and fuel within the booms that have been set up in the marina.
"The Environment Agency will be providing further advice in the coming days to the HMA on waste management as part of efforts to recover the sunken yacht".
Grace Kedzior-Macdonough was visiting the seaside town with her partner when she heard “bangs or explosions” coming from the harbour.
She told PA she saw crew in neighbouring vessels spraying hoses to stop them catching alight as the fire was “spitting” flames out on to the water.
Grace said: "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 (to) the bridge".
On Saturday, police said the cause of the fire was being treated as unexplained and added enquiries were continuing.
In a statement, Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Police were called at 12.10pm on Saturday 28 May to Princess Pier in Torquay following reports of a fire on a yacht in the marina.
"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".
The statement continued: "Enquiries remain ongoing to establish the cause of the fire, which is currently being treated as unexplained".
Torquay Marina said in a statement that the area had been saved from a "major catastrophe" by authorities and emergency services at the scene.
"We had to deal with a major incident today. Sadly one of our boats was destroyed by fire. I can confirm there were no casualties or other boats damaged", the statement said.
"Due to a fantastic team effort by the emergency services, harbour authorities, my staff and our customers, we were able to contain the emergency situation and avoid a major catastrophe.
"We now have several booms around the area to protect the environment. Please continue to be patient during the clean-up process".