MAY 15, 2015
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FLORIDA
A boater fired a flare gun in the wrong direction on Lake
Orienta on Friday morning, sparking a blaze that destroyed his boat, according
to firefighters.
According to the Seminole County Fire Department, the man
was having motor issues and fired the gun before 5:30 a.m.
The 17-foot boat went up in flames, but the man was able
jump into the water wearing a life jacket and flag down rescuers.
“His boat motor stalled, and in order to signal someone for
help, he tried to use a flare gun, but instead of the flare going up in the
air, it went down into the boat and that's what started the fire,” said
Seminole County Fire Lt. Dave Williams.
The boater was not injured.
Firefighters worked with a towing company to remove the boat
from the water by 7:30 a.m.
“Our big concern is the fuel and the oil that still remains
in there. We’re trying to secure everything to make sure there is no more
environmental hazards,” said Williams.
Williams said they were using absorbent material to soak up
the oil and fuel, which was estimated between two and five gallons.
“Even that small amount could affect the local plant life,
the aquatic life, the fish and even the birds,” he said.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was
called to the scene.