Englewood, FL – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that a man was seriously burned after an explosion and fire aboard a boat as it was leaving dock at Indian Mound Park in Englewood Saturday.
The 44-year-old man operating the boat, who wasn’t identified, sustained significant burns and was taken for treatment to Tampa General Hospital, FWC regional public information director Melody Kilborn said in a statement Sunday. The severity of his injuries weren’t known, she said, but six other passengers were unharmed.
The explosion occurred about 12:15 p.m. Saturday off the park in south Sarasota County. The 24-foot vessel with seven people aboard was preparing to leave dock when, shortly after the engine was started, an explosion occurred, the FWC reported.
Englewood Fire Rescue, the Sarasota and Charlotte County Sheriff’s Offices, the Florida State Fire Marshall and FWC responded to the scene.