3 burned in boat explosion at Lake Pleasant

CREATED Sep. 16, 2012

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Web Producer: Taylor Avey

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - Three people have been flown to a burn center in Phoenix after an explosion rocked their boat on Lake Pleasant.

Peoria Fire Department Battalion Chief Tom Pendley says five adults launched the boat at the lake north of Phoenix Sunday morning and were motoring out of the ramp area when the explosion happened.

Three suffered second-degree flash burns and injuries from flying debris. Nearby boaters helped them back to the dock and called for help.

Pendley says the burns were serious but did not appear life-threatening. The three were flown to the burn center at Maricopa Medical Center for treatment.

One of the other two people on the boat had minor injuries and the second was unhurt.

The explosion was apparently caused by fuel vapors accumulating in the engine compartment.

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