2 Rescued as Fire Engulfs Boat in Newport Bay

A cabin cruiser that had just pulled away from a Newport Bay fueling dock was engulfed in flames Saturday morning, sending a plume of smoke skyward that was visible for miles.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol said a small explosion of gasoline fumes below deck probably started the fire, which quickly set the craft ablaze.

Both people aboard, a couple from Las Vegas on a weekend holiday, were rescued by a small boat that came alongside. No one was injured, investigators said.

The Harbor Patrol identified the couple as Victor and Gabriella Gipson, owners of the 32-foot Neptune, which they kept docked at Newport Dunes Resort in Newport Bay.

Harbor Patrol Sgt. Mike Hiller said the couple had just fueled at Newport Landing.

“They had turned on the bilge blowers, but they hadn’t gone down to smell for a fuel leak,” Hiller said. “The owners said they heard a pop, then saw the fire.”

According to a Newport Beach Fire Department spokesman, there was a series of explosions, at least one powerful enough to raise Gabriella Gipson eight inches off the deck.

Ed April of Santa Ana, a witness, said the boat was no more than 10 feet from the dock when the woman on board shouted back, “We have a fire!”

The destroyed boat, its engine stopped, began drifting to the center of the channel, April said.

Investigators estimated damage to the boat at $45,000.