One sailor in the engine room on LCM006 escaped, stating later that after he left the boat, he returned to the engine room to see if anyone might still be there. At the moment he returned, there was no fire in the engine room, however, it was filled with heavy smoke. He attempted to search for anyone who might be there, but was forced to leave due to the smoke and heat.

The fire on the water spread quickly and the escaping sailor received burns on his face and shoulders while swimming ashore. Halpin attmepted to get clear of the boat and was last seen in the vicinity of the fire.

Fire on the water extended far out into the channel, rising to heights of two hundred feet. Explosions from the boats' ammunition and fuel tanks saturated the entire width with burning debris. Due to the intense heat and flame, the fire raged for over ten minutes before fire fighting equipment could be put into effective use. The boat itself was totally engulfed in flames.

Boats were dispatched to check for possible survivors in the area. An extensive search of the entire area was conducted with negative results. Due to the circumstances, little hope for survival was held for Dixon and Halpin. Both men were initially placed in a casualty status of Missing, but Dixon's status was changed that same day to Killed in Action. Halpin was maintained in Missing status until late November, when a Casualty Status Review Board changed his status to Determined Dead/Body Not Recovered.