Investigators probe fire that destroyed 200 boat garages

Investigators are working to determine what caused a fire that destroyed about 200 boat garages in Rust Bay on Lake Neusiedl, while an oil boom remains in place to protect the water. ORF reported that Burgenland State Criminal Police Office investigators were at the scene on Sunday.

The boom is intended to stop debris and pollutants from entering the lake. After the damage has been assessed, the site is to be cleared and rebuilt as soon as possible, said Harald Weiss, managing director of Ruster SeebadbetriebsgesmbH.

Weiss praised the Rust fire brigade for putting the boom in place in time. Firefighters used fresh water from a hydrant and water from the lake to extinguish the blaze. Experts from the Burgenland provincial government have taken samples to assess water quality.

Fourteen fire brigades, with about 300 members, responded to the fire. They prevented it from spreading to the reeds, and no one was injured. The damage was described as extensive.