Marina boat fire, explosion sends 3 to Vanderbilt: ‘serious burns’
Knox County Rescue Squad joined RMF and the fire investigation unit of Knox County Sheriff’s Office in responding to the incident, which occurred around 7:30 p.m.
Bagwell reported RMF crews arrived at 7:35 p.m. “to find the boat fully engulfed by flames and three patients suffering from serious burn injuries.
“The burning boat was pushed away from the dock and marina and the three patients were transported,” he added.
Later reports indicated those seriously injured had been transported first to a local hospital, then to Vanderbilt, while the fourth individual also injured was able to drive to a local hospital for treatment.
Additionally, “the marina suffered minor damage where the burning fuel got underneath (it),” Bagwell added.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, which is in charge of the investigation, reported in an e-mail the boat in question “had just finished fueling at the marina gas dock when it exploded and caught fire.
“The boat eventually burned to the waterline and sank,” the e-mail further stated.
KCRS helped extinguish the flames.
No additional information, including the names of the victims, had been released as of press deadline Tuesday, June 6.
Bagwell took the opportunity to offer a safety reminder as summertime recreation season is under way.
“Please use caution while enjoying the lake this summer,” he said. “Emergencies happen when we least expect them.”
