Boat Explosion Injures 15, 1 Airlifted In LaSalle County: Reports

SENECA, IL — At least 15 people were hurt, one seriously, when a boat exploded at a marina in Seneca Saturday afternoon, police told several news outlets.

The incident happened just before 4:30 p.m. at Spring Brook Marina in Seneca, a small town in LaSalle and Grundy counties, state police told NBC Chicago.

Multiple people were injured, and at least one person was taken to an area hospital, Fox 32 reported.

There were 17 people on the boat when the fire erupted, NBC reported. Thirteen of them suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and one person was airlifted to an area hospital with serious injuries. A marina employee who was not on the boat was also hurt.

Several families were on the boat, which was refueling and about to head out on the water just before it exploded, according to ABC Chicago. After refueling, the boat exploded as someone attempted to restart it, conservation police said.

Illinois Conservation Police are investigating the explosion.