Injured In Boat Explosion
Fire Officials: Spilled Fuel Sparks Blast
UPDATED: 6:19 p.m. EDT August 8, 2003
WEIRS BEACH, N.H. -- Three people were seriously injured in an explosion on a boat in Weirs Beach Friday.
Fire officials said three employees of Channel Marine were performing maintenance on a used boat that had just been purchased. The workers were topping off a gas tank when they realized they had been filling the waste tank, causing gas to spill into the boat, officials said.
The employees apparently used a vacuum to clean up the spilled fuel, sparking the explosion.
Two men, ages 24 and 28, suffered serious burns. One was taken to Lakes Region General Hospital, while the other was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital.
"Literally within seconds of turning the dry vac on, the gasoline ignited," Laconia fire Chief Ken Erickson said. "There was a tremendous explosion and flash fire. The two men in the boat received substantial burns on their whole body."
A 22-year-old woman standing on the dock was blown back by the explosion and suffered first-degree burns on her face and arms. She was taken to Lakes Region General. There was no immediate word on the conditions of any of the victims.
The Laconia Fire Department and state fire marshal's office are investigating the incident.
From a local incident log.
Fire Officials: Spilled Fuel Sparks Blast
UPDATED: 6:19 p.m. EDT August 8, 2003
WEIRS BEACH, N.H. -- Three people were seriously injured in an explosion on a boat in Weirs Beach Friday.
Fire officials said three employees of Channel Marine were performing maintenance on a used boat that had just been purchased. The workers were topping off a gas tank when they realized they had been filling the waste tank, causing gas to spill into the boat, officials said.
The employees apparently used a vacuum to clean up the spilled fuel, sparking the explosion.
Two men, ages 24 and 28, suffered serious burns. One was taken to Lakes Region General Hospital, while the other was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital.
"Literally within seconds of turning the dry vac on, the gasoline ignited," Laconia fire Chief Ken Erickson said. "There was a tremendous explosion and flash fire. The two men in the boat received substantial burns on their whole body."
A 22-year-old woman standing on the dock was blown back by the explosion and suffered first-degree burns on her face and arms. She was taken to Lakes Region General. There was no immediate word on the conditions of any of the victims.
The Laconia Fire Department and state fire marshal's office are investigating the incident.
From a local incident log.
