Thick black smoke could be seen billowing from Sanibel Island on Sunday as recovery efforts continued there from the damage caused by Hurricane Ian.
The smoke, which could be seen around Sanibel and from the mainland, was caused by golf carts that caught on fire at The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club.
At this point, it’s a little like rubbing salt in a wound — literally and figuratively.
Mike Dopslaff, the PGA club professional at The Dunes, explained what he thought 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 staff have been making regular trips to the island by boat since Hurricane Ian, a deadline Category 4 storm, turned the Southwest Florida coast upside down. They have been working on clearing debris and assessing the 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 electric on the island so there was no attempt to charge the golf carts or turn them on,” Dopslaff said. “Most likely one or two decided to go up and started and ignited the others.”