On Wednesday around 1 p.m., Huntington Beach Fire Department crews responded to a fire at a residential dock in the 16,000 block of Ardsley Circle. Two boats, tied together, erupted in flames, creating a dense plume of smoke that drifted over the harbor area.
Firefighters’ response
Firefighters quickly deployed a boat‑mounted water cannon and hose lines to douse the flames. No one was aboard either vessel at the time of the incident, and no injuries were reported. Crews also protected nearby boats and harbor structures from the spreading fire.
One of the vessels, a 40‑foot boat, appeared to sink in its slip as the fire intensified. Firefighters placed a containment boom around the sunken craft to limit any diesel fuel from entering the water.
Potential fuel spill
The California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) estimated that the maximum potential diesel discharge could be up to 450 gallons. The exact amount released has not yet been confirmed, and the spill is under investigation.
OSPR and the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles‑Long Beach continued on‑scene monitoring and cleanup efforts. A diesel sheen was observed on the water’s surface, but officials said the situation remained under control.
Cause under investigation
Authorities have not released details on how the fire started. Both the Huntington Beach Fire Department and the Coast Guard are conducting a joint investigation to determine the source of the blaze.
Residents in the surrounding area were advised to avoid the immediate dock vicinity while crews worked to extinguish the fire and secure the spill. The harbor returned to normal operations later in the afternoon after the fire was fully contained.
Community impact
The incident underscores the importance of rapid emergency response and environmental protection measures in coastal communities. Huntington Beach officials praised the coordinated effort between local fire crews and federal partners, noting that swift action helped prevent a larger environmental disaster.
Local boat owners were reminded to review safety protocols, ensure proper fuel storage, and report any suspicious activity that could lead to similar incidents.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
