Boat Sinks as Firefighters Battle Blaze; 4 Rescued

A fishing boat erupted into flames Thursday just outside the Los Angeles harbor breakwater and sank, forcing four firefighters who had boarded it to jump into the water where they were rescued by lifeguards.

Two men, ages 20 and 40, were aboard the 60- to 65-foot G.M. when the fire broke out about 11 a.m. They were evacuated before City Fire Department firefighters went aboard the vessel.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Jerry Ryan said the two men had radioed a frantic call for help after the fire erupted in the boat’s engine room. Coast Guard, city fire and Baywatch boats were dispatched and towed the G.M. about 600 yards inside the breakwater, where firefighters boarded and began to work. Within about 30 minutes, the boat began listing, then capsized and sank. Lifeguard Capt. Bob Buchanan said the firefighters, in full gear, were pulled from the water without injury.