Feb 15 • 02:10 UTC 🇦🇺 Australia ABC News AU

Four boats destroyed in fire at Hillarys Boat Harbour

A fire at Hillarys Boat Harbour in Australia destroyed four boats, marking the second incident at the marina in four months.

A significant fire incident at Hillarys Boat Harbour resulted in the destruction of four boats late at night, highlighting ongoing safety concerns at the marina. Emergency services responded to reports of a blaze around 10:35 PM on a given night, where firefighters faced challenges as the fire spread from one vessel to others, leading to a HAZMAT warning due to the resulting smoke plumes in the area. It took firefighters until 2 AM to completely extinguish the fire, but unfortunately, all four boats caught in the flames sank after being fully engulfed.

This incident marks the second fire at the marina within a span of four months, with the previous notable occurrence being in September when a luxury boat was severely damaged. The recurring nature of these fires raises alarms around maritime safety and fire preparedness at Hillarys Boat Harbour, leading to questions about how such incidents can be prevented in the future. Currently, the cause of this recent fire remains under investigation, and authorities may need to reassess safety protocols.

Given the ongoing problems, it is imperative for marina administration, local emergency services, and vessel owners to engage in discussions about enhanced fire safety measures. The area had witnessed a specific response involving around thirty firefighters who faced tough conditions while trying to contain the fire on the night of the incident, emphasizing the need for improved firefighting resources and strategies in maritime environments.

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