Four boats were completely destroyed in a fire at Hillarys Boat Harbour, marking the second major blaze at the marina in just four months. The incident occurred at 10:35 p.m., when firefighters were called to the scene after reports of a boat in flames. The fire rapidly spread from a single boat to several nearby vessels, causing large smoke plumes and triggering a HAZMAT warning for the area. It took the Department of Fire and Emergency Services until around 2 a.m. to extinguish the blaze. The flames completely destroyed and sank four vessels, leaving a trail of devastation. Scott Bulloch, the station officer at Duncraig Fire Station, stated that the cause of the fire remains undetermined, as the fire investigation team arrived too late to gather crucial evidence. The Department of Transport is now working to refloat the boats and contain the fuel to prevent further environmental damage. This incident comes as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of boat harbors to fire hazards. Andrew Beale, who was working on a boat at Hillarys, recounted the harrowing experience, describing how he and his colleagues tried to stop the blaze by pulling fire reels and dousing the fuel sources with water. Despite their efforts, the fire quickly spread, and within minutes, three to four boats were engulfed in flames. The speed at which the fire consumed the boats was astonishing, and the absence of anyone on board was a fortunate coincidence. The second boat fire at Hillarys in four months highlights the ongoing risk of fire incidents at the marina. The previous fire, which occurred in September, involved a luxury 50-foot vessel that was gutted by flames. The marina's vulnerability to fire incidents raises important safety concerns and underscores the need for enhanced fire prevention measures and emergency response protocols.
