Fire Department

The Madison Fire Department was called to Lake Monona overnight for reports that a small boat was on fire. Medic 3, Engine 3, Ladder 6, and Car 31 responded to the Lake Monona shore near E. Wilson Street as the MFD Lake Rescue Team launched from Olin Park.
 
From Law Park, Medic 3 could see a small jet boat fully involved with fire approximately 75-100 feet offshore. Three people who had been on the boat jumped into the water and swam to shore. MFD paramedics assessed the individuals, who were uninjured, and provided them towels and blankets.

Meanwhile, the boat continued to slowly drift toward the east as Lake Rescue 1 approached. The burning boat began to threaten a floating dock nearby.

The Lake Rescue Team’s rescue boat is equipped to fight fires using an on-board master stream that can flow up to 500 gallons of water per minute. The team positioned themselves for fire attack and knocked down the boat fire. They continued to use the master stream to push the totaled boat closer to shore at Law Park, where it was secured with rope. Firefighters used water can extinguishers to put out any remaining hot spots.

The owner told firefighters he recently purchased the boat. It was operating without issue until, after being turned off for a while on the water, it would not restart. During repeated attempts to restart it, the motor flashed, sparking the fire and forcing the occupants to jump ship.