Burn Victim of Greenport Yacht Explosion Recovering, in 'Good Spirits'

GREENPORT, NY — A man seriously burned after a yacht explosion in Greenport Friday is recovering at Stony Brook University Hospital.

George Van Etten was one of three men injured during the blast at the Greenport Yacht & Ship Building Friday, according to his brother Thomas Van Etten on Facebook.

Prayers from the community have come pouring in for Van Etten, an ex Captain and active member of the Greenport Fire Department, as well as an employee at the Shipyard.

According to a source close to the family, Van Etten suffered second degree burns on 11 percent of his body, including his face, torso and arms. While he is in some pain and looking at a bit of a lengthy recovery process, he's in "good spirits," his friend said.

Two other men, also Shipyard employees, were treated at Eastern Long Island Hospital and are now home, the source said.

According to Greenport Fire Chief Wayne Miller, the fire broke out on a personal yacht that was on land, being worked on, just after 11 a.m. Friday.

Onlookers reported seeing smoke billowing from the back of the property.

Three men were in the boat's engine room working on the bilge, Miller said, when gas vapors ignited and caused an explosion.

Van Etten suffered second-degree burns and was taken by ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital' the two employees were taken to Eastern Long Island Hospital for treatment of burns, he said.

Greenport Fire Department Rescue responded to the scene; Southold Fire Department also sent an ambulance, Miller said.