News: Fire Erupts at Van Isle Marina
February 12, 2026
A fire broke out early Sunday, Feb 1, morning at Van Isle Marina in Sidney, sending a large plume of thick black smoke high into the air that was visible from across the region. Three 65-to-70-foot yachts went up in flames and were sunk. Van Isle Marina is located in Sidney BC 25 kilometres north of Victoria.
David Delorme who has a boat in the marina about 300m away from the fire told Victoria TV CHEK News the fire began around 7:45 a.m. According to CHEK, Chief Brett Mikkelsen of Sidney Fire said the department got the call at 7:31 a.m. and upon arrival firefighters found three 70-foot yachts fully involved in fire.
“We quickly got our pumps into action and protected the other vessels that were exposed. The three that were on fire – there was no saving them. We got quick word there was no occupants on the vessels so it’s been a long slog to get the fire out. There was a lot of diesel, a lot of fuel.” No one was injured and no one was aboard the boats that sank, he said.
