Thick black smoke could be seen billowing from Sanibel Island on Sunday as recovery efforts continued after damage from Hurricane Ian.
The smoke, which could be seen around Sanibel and the mainland, was caused by golf carts that caught fire at the Dunes Golf & Tennis Club.
At this point, it’s a bit like rubbing salt into a wound – literally and figuratively.
Mike Dopslaff, the PGA club professional at The Dunes, explained what he thinks caused the fire.
“I believe it was another reaction to the salt water and the lithium battery (in the golf carts),” Dopslaff said.
Dopslaff and his team have been making regular trips to the island by boat since Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 storm, rocked Florida’s southwest coast. They worked on clearing debris and assessing damage to the golf course, clubhouse, maintenance buildings and equipment like the golf cart fleet.
“Two and a half weeks after the hurricane, we still have no power on the island, so there have been no attempts to charge golf carts or turn them on,” Dopslaff said. “Most likely one or two decided to go up and started and ignited the others.”
