A late night fire at a Fort Lauderdale marina torched a $3.5 million yacht and forced passengers on an even bigger, nearby yacht to evacuate late Wednesday, police say.
The crippled yacht was towed from the marina Thursday. Fire investigators say it is a total loss.
The 70 foot yacht, housed at Bahia Mar marina at 801 Seabreeze Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, went up in flames around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, according to Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue crews.
Marina staff noticed the flames and called 911. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue teams responded and put out the large fire.
No one was on the vessel at the time of the blaze. A responding firefighter had to be treated for heat exhaustion on the scene.
Two people aboard a 120 foot yacht next to the burning vessel had to be evacuated due to the fire. Their yacht sustained some damage, but they are said to be okay.
"Fort Lauderdale P.D. rescued two people off that vessel," Heiser said. "The egress from that vessel was blocked by flames from the other boat that was burning."
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That boat was left with scorch marks. Fire officials say the damage is in the $300,000 range.
Investigators are looking for surveillance video from the marina. Fire investigators say it does not appear the fire was suspicious, however they have not determined a cause yet.
