Island Lake boat launch closed after fire incident in Wilderness
Firefighters douse a burning boat at the Island Lake launch site in the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park on Monday.
Image: Supplied
The Island Lake boat launch site in the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park has been closed to the public following a boat fire incident on Monday.
A privately owned boat belonging to a guest caught fire on Island Lake while preparations were under way to launch it. Initial reports indicate that the boat was already in the water when the engine was started, at which point it caught alight. The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation.
No fatalities were reported. One person sustained an injury and was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
SANParks rangers responded to the incident, with support from the Wilderness Fire Brigade, who acted swiftly to contain the fire and secure the area. The jetty leading to the launch site sustained minor damage as a result of the fire.
Fuel spillage linked to the incident has raised environmental concerns, prompting SANParks to appoint a service provider to conduct environmental clean-up and remediation work on the lake.
SANParks Head of Communications and spokesperson JP Louw said the decision to close the launch site was necessary to protect both the public and the environment.
“To ensure public safety and allow for proper rehabilitation of the affected area, the Island Lake launch site will remain closed until further notice,” Louw said.
He confirmed that the Island Lake picnic area remains open and accessible to visitors, and that only the boat launch facility has been affected by the closure.
SANParks has urged members of the public to respect the closure and comply with all safety notices while investigations into the cause of the fire continue. The authority also reiterated its call for boat owners to ensure vessels are properly maintained and safety checks are completed before launching, particularly within protected areas.
No timeframe has been provided for the reopening of the launch site.
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