Waterfront fire sinks 2 yachts, causes $1M in damage

LARGO - Two yachts were destroyed and sunk, and vessels docked nearby were damaged by fire Thursday night behind Marine Max in Largo.

Asst. Chief Josh Stefancic with City of Largo Fire Department says a 39-foot Meridian boat caught fire, which led to a second Meridian catching, this one a 44-foot yacht.

In a release, Stefancic said the call came in at 11pm, Thursday, and crews from both Clearwater and the City of Largo had several things working against them.

The business gate was locked, and they had to cut through to get to the yachts. Crews were forced to fight from a 4-foot dock alongside the boat. The windy weather threatened to catch surrounding boats on fire as well, and a couple suffered damage from radiant heat.

According to Stefancic, a man had turned in the 39-ft boat, valued at $260,000 as a trade in on the 44-ft one, valued at $550,000.

The total loss of all exposures is estimated at $1 million