On 3/16/13 at approx 1627hrs i was dispatched by mcso radio to a watercraft fire at the saguaro lake fuel dock. Upon arrival i noticed a young girl being carried by mcso personnel away from the fuel dock to the aid station. I spoke with the operator who told me the following: he had just launched his boat from the saguaro lake marina dry storage area and pulled up to the south fuel dock to get fuel. After the boat was fueled he turned on the engine blower for approximately 45 seconds to a minute. He then turned the ignition key to start the engine when he heard a load explosion and felt pressure from behind him as if he was being pushed. He turned around and noticed the engine cover and rear seats were blown of off their mounting positions. There was fire coming from the engine compartment and marina personnel used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire within seconds of the explosion. 

During my conversation with the operator, victim 2 was transported to the aid station for medical treatment. Operator went on to say that the explosion swept through the cabin portion of the watercraft causing the stove cabinet to fall off the wall and the hatch on the deck over the bow to blow open. Victim 1 and 2 were seated behind the operators seating position when the explosion occurred. Passenger 3 and 4 were sitting on the stern of the watercraft and were not injured. The rear portion of the engine cover is attached with a hinge. It appears that the explosion caused the engine cover to flip open causing the flash fire to go directly towards victim 1 and 2. 

The pressure from the blast went through the small entry door of the cuddy cabin knocking the stove cabinet off the wall and tipping on its side. The personal contents of the cuddy cabin were disrupted and thrown about the cabin as well as the glass hatch on the deck to be blown open. I could smell gasoline vapors coming from the engine compartment. I noticed approximately 1/2 to 1 inch of liquid in the bilge under the engine. A preliminary inspection of the fuel system did not indicate any failure of the engine fuel system. I did notice cracking on the fuel inlet line that goes from the gas cap to the fuel tank. 

Victims were treated at the aid station and both were flown by air-evac to the maricopa medical burn center for further treatment. The rest of the occupants were not injured. The regal watercraft was stored at the secured mcso blue point storage yard with the owners permission. Arson and lake patrol detectives will follow up to determine if any criminal charges will be filed. No further information.
MESA