Boat Explodes On Shelter Island With 4 Aboard: Police

SHELTER ISLAND, NY — A boat exploded on Shelter Island Friday with four people aboard, police said.

According to Shelter Island Police, at 2:01 p.m., police, fire, and EMS were dispatched to the Island Boatyard in West Neck Harbor where a fully involved boat fire was reported at the fuel dock.

Four people were on the vessel, an in-board propelled 2002 Cobalt, when it exploded, police said. All four were able to escape the fire and exit the boat onto the gas dock where the vessel was tied, police said. None of the four were injured, police said.

One firefighter was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide exposure and was later released, police said.

The boat's operator said he had finished fueling the boat and turned on the electric vent motor; after waiting five minutes, he turned the key to start the engine and the boat exploded immediately, police said.

Another boat in a slip at the marina sustained minor damage from the fire debris, police said.

A Shelter Island Police marine unit, Suffolk County Sheriff's marine unit, and a Sea Tow vessel responded to assist, police said. Officers aboard the Shelter Island Police boat and the Shelter Island Fire Department worked together to extinguish the fire, police said. The damaged boat was towed near land access and arrangements are being made for its removal, police said.

The fire was investigated by the Shelter Island Police Department and classified as accidental and non-criminal, police said.