Three people were slightly injured on Saturday followingnoon in the fire of several motor boats in the port of Meilen (ZH). A boy had to be taken to hospital. The material damage amounted to several million francs.
Residents reported the fire on a boat shortly following 3:30 p.m., Zurich cantonal police said in the evening. When the intervention forces arrived, the flames had already reached several motor boats, the pontoon and the boathouse.
Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control. Due to the heavy smoke, the firefighters issued a warning to the population and asked residents to close doors and windows, turn off ventilation and air conditioning and bypass the scene of the disaster. The alert was lifted following 4:30 p.m.
Anti-pollution booms in water
Three people were slightly injured in the fire. A 10-year-old boy was taken to hospital by ambulance. Rescuers and emergency doctors examined around 40 people in the area for suspicion of smoke poisoning.
Due to possible water pollution, the Lake Rescue Service has set up pollution control booms in the water around the fire site. The road near the port was closed until Sunday morning.
The cause of the fire is not known at this time. An investigation has been opened. According to the first elements, the track of an arson is to be excluded.
