Boat explosion injures five

A boat docked at the Port Orchard Yacht Club exploded Monday afternoon, injuring five people.

The 39-foot wood boat had sunk in a private boathouse and was being raised on Monday afternoon when gas fumes that had built up in the boathouse were ignited by a spark, causing an explosion. The blast knocked out boathouse windows and caused minor damage to neighboring boathouses.

City Councilman Jerry Childs, who was working on his own boat three docks over at the Yacht Club, said he heard a loud explosion shortly after 2 p.m.

"The whole marina shuddered," he said. "Everything shook."

South Kitsap Fire and Rescue responded to the scene. SKFR Battalion Chief Guy Dalrymple said two people were transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Three others, including boat owner Craig Wiseman, suffered minor injuries.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

 

 

Contact Port Orchard Independent Staff Writer Brett Cihon at bcihon@portorchardindependent.com or 360-876-4414.

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