This archive report was first published on 2 September 2019.
On September 2, 2019, a devastating boat fire occurred off the coast of Santa Cruz Island in Southern California, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake.
A spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department confirmed that 34 people are still missing after the fire, while 5 others were rescued from the scene, with one of them being transported to shore with moderate injuries.
The scuba diving boat, named 'Conception,' was anchored north of the island when the fire broke out, according to Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol Officer Nathan Alldredge.
The Ventura County Fire Department responded to the fire at approximately 3:28 a.m., but the United States Coast Guard in Los Angeles/Long Beach did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
