- This is the moment a 30ft boat went up in flames after an explosion which left 15 people injured.
- The vessel caught fire when the engine was turned on after being refuelled at Spring Brook Marina in Seneca, Illinois, US.
- There were 17 people on board the boat when the disaster happened, with 13 being rushed to local hospitals in the aftermath.
- The injured included youngsters as well as adults, ABC 7 reports.
A recent news article published in Mirror states that 30ft yacht EXPLODES in flames injuring 15 after refuelling at marina.
Man airlifted to hospital
A man was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries, while a marina worker who was near the boat when it exploded was also hurt.
The vessel pulled into the marina to refuel after encountering engine problems.
“It’s Memorial Day weekend, we thought maybe it was just fireworks. About 30 seconds later, that’s when we saw grey smoke turn to black smoke.
“It was only a few minutes later we started hearing sirens.”
It comes after a £6million superyacht that caught fire in a UK marina sank, potentially leaking nine tonnes of diesel into the blue waters around the country.
15 people injured
Some 15 people were injured in the incident, ABC 7 reports.
The alarm was raised in Torquay, Devon, at around noon when the 85ft vessel caught alight and drifted from its moorings, sparking the closure of several local businesses and warnings to locals.
Despite the best efforts of fire crews the luxury yacht sank at around 4pm.
Mini-ecological disaster
The Environment Agency fears it could spark a mini-ecological disaster as it had nearly a full tank of fuel aboard which is thought to have leaked into the sea.
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “The boat is believed to have caught alight and broke away from the mooring but was later secured by the Fire Service near the pier. There have been no reported injuries.
“Shortly before 4pm the vessel became fully submerged underwater. The Harbourmaster supported by the Environmental Agency will look to safely recover the vessel in due course.
“All road closures and majority of cordons have now been lifted and the public are able to access the area again. One cordon remains in place at the pier.
A man was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after the blaze.
“Enquiries remain ongoing to establish the cause of the fire, which is currently being treated as unexplained.”
9 tonnes of.diesel may have spilled in ocean
The Environment Agency says around nine tonnes of diesel may have been spilled into the ocean as a result of the incident and officials are working to limit the pollution.
They tweeted: “With yacht now sunk, and with approx 9 tonnes of diesel on board, focus now on pollution. Pollution response led by harbour master.
”Our officers are helping with advice and guidance on bathing water quality etc.
“Our officers have been checking air quality around Torquay harbour this afternoon following the yacht fire, which was declared a major incident.
“Thought to be no real issues with air quality, but we’re keeping an eye on the situation.”
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe
Source: Mirror
