Fire destroys 200 boat garages in Rust as cause remains unknown

The cause of a major fire that destroyed 200 boat garages and electric boats at the Ruster Bucht, a bay, remains unclear, ORF reports. The fire broke out overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, and investigators are continuing their inquiries.

By Friday, the scene included burned-out garages and charred boats, with a strong smell of smoke still in the air. Many people visited the bay to see the damage. Reinhold Bucher, a man from Styria whose property was affected, told ORF Burgenland he hoped the debris could be cleared quickly and that new buildings could eventually be put up. His garage was partly insured, but his boat, worth 50,000 euros, was not.

The land where the garages stood belongs to the municipality of Rust. Mayor Gerold Stagl said the city had contacted the tenants and would support them. Their contracts require the garages to be insured against fire, he said, adding that the municipality would coordinate the response.

Investigations mean no clearing work can begin before Sunday. The municipality will then seek quotes, inform those affected and arrange the removal of the debris. Stagl said the damage would ultimately be a matter for insurers, while stressing that the city would not abandon those affected.