9 injured in Md. boat explosion after refueling

By Bridget Byrne, Matt Hubbard
Baltimore Sun

CHESAPEAKE CITY, Md. — At least nine people were injured in a boat explosion near Chesapeake City on Saturday, Maryland Natural Resources Police said.

Natural Resources Police and the Office of the State Fire Marshal responded around 4 p.m. to reports of an explosion involving a 1988 Wellcraft 32-foot cruiser in the Chesapeake Bay. Police believe the blast occurred immediately after the boat refueled at Schaefer’s Canal House and Marina, but the exact cause remains under investigation.

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Four people suffered serious burns and were flown to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center for treatment. Five others were taken by ambulance to hospitals.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal said Saturday evening that while the exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation, they cannot rule out that a failure to turn on the fuel vapor blower fan or to allow it to properly exhaust after the vessel was refueled as a possible cause.

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