POLICE, OWNER AT ODDS OVER BOAT FIRES
THE owner of a Yatala business where two boats were destroyed by fire does not believe it was arson. Police disagree. Emergency services attended Yatala Boats and Caravan Centre on Stapylton Jacobs Well Rd at 1.40am yesterday after reports two boats were in flames. The fire was extinguished within about half an hour and no one was injured.
The boatyard was a crime scene yesterday as police combed through the charred remains for clues.
Police said they were investigating the “suspicious fire”.
“Preliminary investigations indicated the boatyard was accessed and the fire was intentionally lit,” police said.
The owner of the business, who declined to be named, said he believed the fire started from an electrical fault.
“It’s an old boat that burnt. My first thought was that it must be an electrical wiring problem.
“There was an isolated fire in one little area. It’s an old boat, it’s something that happens. I’ve been in the industry a while.
“We contacted the fire department ... they came out. I don’t know how the police got here. They arrived within five minutes of the fire department.”
The destroyed boats had a combined value of about $62,000 — an 8.2m fibreglass boat worth $50,000 and a 5.7m cabin craft worth $12,000.
Those with information should contact Police Link (13 14 44) or Crime Stoppers (1800 333 000).