3 Burned In Boat Explosion

Built-Up Fumes May Have Sparked Blast

POSTED: Sunday, May 28, 2006

UPDATED: 9:58 am CDT May 29, 2006

GALVESTON, Texas -- Three people were burned when a boat exploded in the Galveston Yacht Basin on Saturday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

At least seven people were injured in the explosion, including five on the boat and two others nearby, the Coast Guard said.

The fire reportedly started shortly after 5 p.m. after the 40-foot craft was refueled.

A preliminary investigation indicated "there may have been some fumes that built up below the deck," Coast Guard spokesman Gene Davis said.

"The vessel continued to burn, rolled over on its starboard side, and the lower hull separated from the upper hull. Then, the vessel sank," Davis said. "The whole deck and everything above it went."

Four victims were treated and released. Three others are being treated at Galveston's Shriner's Hospital.

The exact cause of the explosion is under investigation.

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