On Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at 2:34 a.m., five companies of Los Angeles firefighters, one LAFD rescue ambulance, one battalion chief officer command team, and LAFD fire boats 2 & 5, under the direction of Battalion Chief John Buck responded to a Fatality BOAT Fire at BERTH 35: Slip E34 in the San Pedro area.
First units on the scene reported a 45' sail boat, the “La Buena Vida,” at the Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club with smoke showing. Using forcible entry tools to enter the cabin area of the boat, firefighters used handlines from Boat 2 and quickly extinguished the fire in 14 minutes. The fire was confined to the 45' sail boat and no other boats were threatened. During the search and rescue phase of the incident, the body of an 80-year-old male was found and declared dead at the scene, also, a small dog was found dead in the same area, no other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is listed as under investigation and fire damage is still being tabulated. This report will be updated as additional information is made available.