3 injured in boat fire at Astatula dock

3 transported as trauma alerts: 2 flown to ORMC, 1 child to Arnold Palmer

ASTATULA, Fla. – A father and his toddler have been released from the hospital after surviving what investigators said was an "explosion" caused by a fire on their boat.

A third victim, only described as a man, remains in the hospital at ORMC for observation.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said just before 2 p.m. Saturday that crews were called to the Astatula Boat Landing on Florida Avenue in Lake County.

When first responders arrived, all three victims were off the boat. Fire officials said it only took a couple of minutes to put the flames out.

All three passengers were airlifted to the hospital, including the toddler, for burn injuries.

FWC said it appears the boat never left the dock, and the fire started fairy quickly after the boat was put in the water.

The toddler's mother was not yet on the boat when the explosion occurred, and was able to speak with investigators about what she witnessed.

The FWC and the state fire marshall will search the boat for evidence to try to determined what caused the incident.


About the Author:

Troy graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. He has reported on Mexican drug cartel violence on the El Paso/ Juarez border, nuclear testing facilities at the Idaho National Laboratory and severe Winter weather in Michigan.

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