california yacht club cause of fire

Fire guts historic California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey

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Firefighters worked overnight Monday to extinguish a blaze that erupted at a historic yacht club in Marina del Rey.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department received a call around 11:30 p.m. Monday for a structure fire at the California Yacht Club in the 4400 block of Admiralty Way, said Fred Fielding, a Fire Department spokesperson.

Crews arrived to find heavy smoke and fire engulfing the two-story building, fire officials said.

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Video from news outlets showed large flames consuming the structure as smoke billowed overhead. Multiple firetrucks and firefighters were called in to help contain the blaze.

Two firefighters suffered moderate injuries and were taken to a hospital, Fielding said. The extent of their injuries and their status was not immediately known.

The blaze was knocked down just before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, said Jeremy Stafford, supervising fire dispatcher at the L.A. County Fire Department.

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The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Stafford said.

The California Yacht Club was started in 1922 by yachtsman from the Los Angeles Athletic Club and other yacht clubs, according to the club’s website .

Representatives for the club did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Alexandra E. Petri is a former Los Angeles Times staff writer who covered trends and breaking news. She previously covered live news at the New York Times. A two-time reporting fellow with the International Women’s Media Foundation, she graduated from Penn State with a degree in journalism and international studies.

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Flames engulf California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey; 2 firefighters injured

MARINA DEL REY, Calif. (KABC) -- Two firefighters were injured while battling flames that engulfed a yacht club that has been a local landmark in Marina del Rey for decades.

The fire was reported around 11:30 p.m. Monday at the California Yacht Club on Admiralty Way, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Fire crews arrived on scene to heavy fire and smoke billowing from the building, and it was quickly upgraded to a 2nd alarm fire before it was eventually extinguished.

The injured male firefighters were taken to the hospital with moderate injuries, but additional details about their injuries were not known. They have since been released.

The California Yacht Club started back in 1922. The former owner told Eyewitness News that his father helped build the Marina del Rey building over 50 years ago.

"It's been a home for so many people. We are so heartbroken right now... It tears me apart to see... It's just terrible," said Steve Hathaway.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

No other injuries were reported and no boats were damaged.

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• MARINA DEL REY
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY
• BUILDING FIRE
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
• FIREFIGHTER INJURED
• FIREFIGHTERS

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Fire destroys California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey

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An overnight blaze in Marina del Rey has injured two firefighters and destroyed a historic yacht club. 

According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, firefighters received a call for a fire at a two story two commercial building with smoke and fire showing at about 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 11. 

Numerous firetrucks and a substantial number of firefighters were dispatched to control the fire. the two firefighters suffered moderate injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. The extent of their injuries and their status was not immediately known.

The blaze was knocked down just before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, said Jeremy Stafford, supervising fire dispatcher at the L.A. County Fire Department.

The fire department’s Arson Investigation Unit was called to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire.

The yacht club was founded in 1922 in Wilmington Harbor near San Pedro and the current facility in Marina del Rey was built in 1967, according to the club’s website .

Matthew Hall

Matthew Hall has a Masters Degree in International Journalism from City University in London and has been Editor-in-Chief of SMDP since 2014. Prior to working at SMDP he managed a chain of weekly papers... More by Matthew Hall

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Watch CBS News

2 firefighters injured battling massive fire at yacht club in Marina del Rey

By Amy Maetzold

December 12, 2023 / 5:22 AM PST / KCAL News

Two firefighters were injured while battling a massive fire at a yacht club in Marina del Rey Monday night.

Crews responded around 11:30 p.m. to 4469 Admiralty Way where they found the California Yacht Club fully engulfed in flames, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Authorities said while battling the flames, two firefighters were injured and taken to a hospital with moderate injuries.

The  California Yacht Club  was founded in 1922 and the building in Marina del Rey was built in 1967, according to the club's website.   

"My dad built this place in the early 60s and it has been our home for many years...such a tragedy to see it burn down," said Steve Hathaway, former owner of the California Yacht Club.  

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and still under investigation.  

Amy Maetzold is a digital producer at CBS Los Angeles. She started her journalism career in Wisconsin where she was a producer at NBC15 and Spectrum News 1. Before coming to KCAL, Amy covered news in Santa Barbara at KEYT, winning a group Emmy Award for team coverage on the Alisal Fire.

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California Yacht Club Destroyed in Fire

MARINA DEL REY— A huge fire destroyed the California Yacht Club, located in Marina del Rey, on Dec. 11.

Los Angeles County Fire Department received a call around 11:30 p.m. that night and arrived to find a massive two-story fire. 

Videos from news outlets show bright red flames traveling over the roof of the club and producing large black clouds of smoke.

Two firefighters suffered moderate injuries and were hospitalized before the blaze was extinguished just before 1:30 a.m. Dec. 12. The cause of their injuries has not been released. 

Among the most prominent California clubs, the California Yacht Club was established in 1922 and has a long history of promoting yachting and maritime activities. It has frequently hosted national and international regattas, with recent events including the J/70 World Championship, U.S. Junior Women’s Championship, Martin 242 North American Championship and CFJ National Championship.

The club was started in Los Angeles harbor by a group of loyal yachtsmen – most from the Los Angeles Athletic Club and the rest active in other early yacht clubs of that day. In 1941, America went to war, and the Coast Guard took over CYC’s facilities in Wilmington. Members continued to fly the Club Burgee, but after World War II, the facilities were so run down that CYC never could return to its birthplace.

Former owner Steve Hathaway noted that his father helped build the club in the 1960s. “It’s been a home for so many people,” said Hathaway in a statement. “We are so heartbroken right now… It tears me apart to see… It’s just terrible.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Historic california yacht club building in marina del rey destroyed by fire, report says.

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The clubhouse for a Southern California yacht club dating back to the 1960s was reportedly destroyed in an early morning fire on Tuesday.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department said on X just after midnight that crews were fighting the fire at a two-story commercial building at the address of the California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey.

NBCLA reported that two firefighters were hurt while responding to the fire and then released from a hospital.

While the clubhouse was destroyed, no boats in the marina appeared to be damaged, according to NBCLA.

The California Yacht Club’s website said the club was founded in 1922 at Wilmington Harbor near San Pedro and then relocated to Marina del Rey in the 1960s. The current club facility was built in 1967.

This story is developing. Stay with KCRA 3 for updates.

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Massive fire destroys historic yacht club in marina del rey, the overnight fire gutted the historic yacht club and sent two firefighters to the hospital with moderate injuries, officials said..

Rachel Barnes , Patch Staff

MARINA DEL REY, CA — A massive fire erupted overnight at a historic yacht club, gutting the two-story building and injuring two firefighters, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The fire department received a report of the fire at about 11:30 p.m. on Monday at the California Yacht Club in the 4400 block of Admiralty Way. A department spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times they arrived to find heavy smoke and flames engulfing the building.

Firefighters knocked down the flames at about 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Two firefighters were transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. The extent of their injuries and their status was not available.

Find out what's happening in Marina Del Rey with free, real-time updates from Patch.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, officials said.

California Yacht Club was founded in 1922 in the Wilmington Harbor near San Pedro before it moved to Marina del Rey in 1967, according to the club's website.

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Published on December 12th, 2023 | by Editor

Fire destroys California Yacht Club

Published on December 12th, 2023 by Editor -->

A massive fire decimated the California Yacht Club located in Marina del Rey, CA.

The fire was reported around 11:30 pm on December 11, with crews arriving to find heavy smoke and fire engulfing the two-story building. Two firefighters suffered moderate injuries before the blaze was knocked down just before 1:30 am on December 12, 2023.

Among the prominent California clubs, it has been a frequent host to national and international regattas, with recent events including the J/70 World Championship, US Junior Women’s Championship, Martin 242 North American Championship, and CFJ National Championship.

The club was started in 1922 in Los Angeles harbor by a group of dedicated yachtsman – most from Los Angeles Athletic Club and the rest active in other early yacht clubs of the day. But when the USA went to war in 1941, the club’s facilities were taken over by the Coast Guard.

After World War II, the facilities were so run down that CYC was forever gone from its birthplace. However, a group of previous CYC members and other prominent yachtsmen were encouraged by the development of Marina del Rey and reactived California Yacht Club in 1961.

Former owner Steve Hathaway noted that his father helped build the club in the 1960s. “It’s been a home for so many people. We are so heartbroken right now… It tears me apart to see… It’s just terrible,” said Hathaway.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Comment : This one is personal as Scuttlebutt was founded at California Yacht Club with two generations of the Leweck family having photos and trophies that perished in the flames. – Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt

Excerpt from Los Angeles Times on December 15, 2023:

The blaze engulfed decades’ worth of boating trophies, historical artifacts and cherished memorabilia at the California Yacht Club. Fire crews attempted to control the blaze as heavy smoke and flames consumed the two-story building. By the time they had subdued the fire two hours later, only the skeletal remnants of the clubhouse were left standing.

John Myers, senior vice president of the club, said the blaze had been reported by an employee working late in the clubhouse Monday night (Dec. 11). The fire spared the remainder of the facilities on the ground, including the docks and the yachts moored there. But the clubhouse, and particularly its second floor, was all but wiped out.

The second floor once housed a collection of the club’s prestigious racing trophies, kept on display for members and visitors. The fire melted all but a single salvageable California Cup. Most notably, the priceless King of Spain Trophy, acquired in 1929 from King Alfonso XIII, was lost.

Additionally, the club lost cherished photographs of every past commodore, a significant position within a yacht club. Members said they didn’t know if anyone had digitized the images of the commodores or of the club’s founders.

The main topic among members now is what’s next for the club. Dakoske Koslu noted that the club’s ownership changed over the last few years, and many are unsure and concerned about the club’s continuation after the fire.

Tags: California Yacht Club , CYC fire , tragedy

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Continuing Coverage

Residents on edge as series of suspicious fires plague Marina del Rey condo complex

A resident tried to get the word out while facing a lack of response from local authorities., by xuanjie coco huang • published july 25, 2024 • updated on july 25, 2024 at 10:01 pm.

Residents in Marina del Rey are living in fear after their apartment complex experienced a series of suspected arson attacks. 

Flashing lights and fire engines are now part of the norm at Marina City Club.

📺 Los Angeles news 24/7: Watch NBC4 free wherever you are

"We have a fire like once a week, and this has been going on since May." Teri Hirano, a longtime resident, said.

The condominium's management team has issued warnings to residents via email, stating that “authorities suspect that these fires were intentionally set by one or more individuals who may reside at the Marina City Club.”

Get top local stories in Southern California delivered to you every morning . Sign up for NBC LA's News Headlines newsletter.

The fires, according to the management, involve the use of toilet paper and other combustible materials. 

This pattern has left residents like Hirano wondering, "Are we going to wake up one day and open the door and there's a fire out there?"

“I’m trying to get the word out so we can get some help here before we end up like the California Yacht Club,” she added.

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In December of last year, a devastating fire ripped through the historic California Yacht Club clubhouse, built in 1967. The cause of that fire remains unknown, and two firefighters were injured in the incident.

While management urges her to call 911 before contacting property services, Hirano reported a frustrating lack of coordinated response from local authorities. 

"I've talked to Captain Muldoon over at fire station 110," Hirano said. "He says the sheriff is in charge of arson in LA County. So I called them, and then they sent me to the fire department."

The land on which Marina City Club stands is owned by LA County and leased to the complex. Hirano has reached out to County Supervisor Holly Mitchell's office but said they didn't do anything.

The only official who seemed to be taking action, according to Hirano, is Natasha Robinson from the Department of Beaches and Harbor, who has written letters to the management.

This article tagged under:

• Breaking News
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Horrifying photos show LA's iconic California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey DESTROYED in blaze as two firefighters are injured battling the inferno

• The California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey was engulfed in flames 
• Los Angeles County Fire Department were called to the scene Monday night and managed to extinguish the blaze early Tuesday morning 
• The cause of the fire is under investigation, and two fire fighters suffered mild injuries battling the blaze

By Emma Richter For Dailymail.Com

Published: 19:41 EDT, 12 December 2023 | Updated: 01:08 EDT, 13 December 2023

View comments

The Los Angeles Fire Department said the fire was first reported around 11.30pm Monday at the Yacht Club on Admiralty Way.

When crews arrived at the scene, thick smoke and flames engulfed the two-story building that was founded in 1922 and built in 1967. 

'My dad built this place in the early 60s and it has been our home for many years...such a tragedy to see it burn down,' Steve Hathaway, the former owner of  California Yacht Club, told CBS Los Angeles.  

Pictures show the aftermath of the blaze at the California Yacht Club that was filled with thick smoke and flames Monday night 

The blaze was extinguished just before 1.30am Tuesday, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

The two male firefighters who were hurt suffered mild injuries while they battled the flames. They were taken to a local hospital, Los Angeles County Fire Department PIO Fred Fielding said. No other injuries were reported.

Pictures revealed the now charred perimeter of the clubhouse, which according to the California Yacht Club, was where the fire damaged. 

The many boats surrounding the club were intact, and the roof of the clubhouse also appeared to be untouched by the flames. 

Only the clubhouse was effected by the inferno as none of the boats docked in the water around it were  damaged 

The California Yacht Club was founded in 1922 and built in 1967

The two firefighters who were injured while battling the flames were taken to a nearby hospital

The famed club has been known to frequently host national and international regattas- water races like rowing and sailing. 

It relocated to Marina del Rey after it was founded near San Pedro in Wilmington Harbor in 1922. 

The coastal community, located four miles north of Los Angeles, is made of 807 acres, 'of which half is underwater,' according to  the Marina Del Rey Tourism Board . 

The famed club has been known to frequently host national and international regattas - water races involving rowing and sailboats

It remains unclear what sparked the blaze but  an Instagram post by the club said: 'we will work together on what's next' 

Marina del Rey translates to 'Harbor of the King' in Spanish and is popularly visited by sail boats, powerboats, along with rented and owned charters. 

Fishers also come to the water in hopes of catching yellowfin tune, perch, barracuda, rockfish, cod, mackerel and sea bass.   

'Thank you to all of the first responders and our thoughts are with the two firefighters injured. Our community is strong and we will work together on what’s next,' the California Yacht Club said in an Instagram post.

Share or comment on this article: Horrifying photos show LA's iconic California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey DESTROYED in blaze as two firefighters are injured battling the inferno

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