News: Fire Erupts at Van Isle Marina

SA Nordhavn 62 being pulled from the water on Feb 5. Photo: Keijo Isomaa

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.

Photo by David Delorme on CHEK website

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.

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