Three vessels have gone underwater following a blaze at a harbor on Vancouver Island on Sunday, as confirmed by the regional fire department. Responding to a call at Van Isle Marina in Sidney, B.C., firefighters arrived just after 7:30 a.m. PT in a town located approximately 25 kilometers north of Victoria. Sidney Fire Chief Brett Mikkelsen mentioned that the magnitude of the fire was evident from afar due to a significant column of black smoke and visible flames nearly a kilometer away.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered three yachts, each measuring 65 to 70 feet, completely ablaze. Despite successfully preventing the fire from spreading to nearby boats until they were relocated, the three vessels engulfed in flames ultimately sank at their berths in the marina. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and no individuals were onboard the sinking boats, as stated by Mikkelsen.
Constable Benje Bartley of the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP noted that investigations are ongoing, with no indication of suspicious activity surrounding the fire at present. The fire department estimates that the fire had been burning for at least 15 to 20 minutes before authorities were alerted.
Following the incident, the Canadian Coast Guard mobilized the CCGS Cape St. James and CCG Ganges Station to the scene for response coordination. Pollution containment measures were swiftly established, and ongoing monitoring is being conducted by the Canadian Coast Guard’s marine environmental and hazards response program in collaboration with marina officials.
Van Isle Marina has enlisted the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation for cleanup operations. The Environment Ministry of British Columbia disclosed that the coast guard will devise an environmental response plan as the lead agency. An emergency response officer from the ministry is currently overseeing the situation on-site.
With the submerged vessels obstructing immediate investigation into the fire’s cause, Mikkelsen anticipates the fire department’s involvement once the hulls are salvaged. Additionally, some damage to the dock infrastructure was reported by Mikkelsen.
To safeguard adjacent boats during the incident, Sidney Fire employed a specialized marina fire protection trailer equipped with unique carts tailored to navigate the town’s narrow marinas. The trailer boasts two high-powered Tohatsu marina fire protection pumps capable of expelling 540 gallons per minute, a resource developed over time due to the town’s substantial maritime presence.
Images:
1. Sidney Fire Department’s marina fire protection trailer includes specially designed carts with pumps, hoses, and fire extinguishers.
2. A “marina fire protection trailer” is hitched to a fire truck in a fire hall.