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A privately-owned boat caught fire on Island Lake
The Island Lake boat launch site in the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park has been closed to the public after a boat fire on Monday, the park confirmed in a statement.
The statement reports that a privately owned boat belonging to a guest caught fire on Island Lake while preparations were underway 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 individual sustained an injury and was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment,” according to the statement.
A boat caught fire at Island Lake at Wildernesshttps://t.co/TxOIOCJTPb#ArriveAlive @GeorgeHerald @BurnshieldZA pic.twitter.com/kOyzCzuGX8
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) January 6, 2026
“To ensure public safety and allow for proper rehabilitation of the affected area, the Island Lake launch site will remain closed until further notice. The Island Lake picnic area remains open and accessible to visitors,” the statement reads.
