Boat engine explodes, injures Centreville family

The boat, owned by Lawrence Korman, had six people on board and was traveling from Kentmorr back toward Kent Narrows when someone noticed an odor of fuel, Wilson said. A few minutes later there was a loud bang and the engine was on fire, he said.

Fire Boat 2, headed by Capt. Troy Tilghman and a crew of five from Grasonville Volunteer Fire Department, was first on the scene.

“We found the boat adrift just south of Bodkin Island,” Tilghman said. There was no fire; the boat’s suppression system had put it out.

Fire Boat 2 evacuated the people aboard the boat and took them to Cove Creek Marina, where county paramedics waited and United Communities Volunteer Fire Department had set up ground command.

Of the six people on board, five sustained burn injuries in the explosion — three serious enough to be sent to the burn center, Tilghman said.

Investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal concluded the accidental fire was a result of a malfunction of the fuel system within the inboard/outboard motor to the vessel. Oxygen was introduced which created a flash fire, causing the burn injuries.

“We’re definitely lucky no one lost their life yesterday,” Tilghman said Saturday afternoon.

“They all had burns of some nature,” Wilson said.

Two occupants, a 49-year-old woman and 16-year-old boy, were flown to Johns Hopkins Bayview via Maryland State Police Trooper 6 for their burn injuries. A 51-year-old man was transported by ground to the Johns Hopkins Bayview Burn Center for treatment. The additional three occupants were evaluated by EMS and refused transport/care.

Officials said as of Monday, the adult male and juvenile have been released from hospital care. The adult female is in stable condition and remains at John Hopkins Burn Center.

Fire Boat 1 from Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department took over the marine recovery effort after Fire Boat 2 evacuated the patients, Tilghman said. They towed the disabled vessel back to Kent Island Yacht Club.

In addition to NRP, and Grasonville, KI and United Communities VFDs, DES and MSP, mutual aid was provided by Tilghman Island and St. Michaels volunteer fire companies and the U.S. Coast Guard. The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office also responded, Wilson said.