Lake County boat explosion leaves two men seriously injured: sheriff

Two men were seriously injured Tuesday afternoon when a boat exploded about two miles from Waukegan Harbor, according to the Lake County sheriff’s office.

The explosion “engulfed” the 25-foot fiberglass vessel in flames around 3 p.m. and drew emergency responses from the Lake County Sheriff Marine Unit, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. Two men, ages 46 and 55, were aboard at the time of the explosion, but a bystander helped them get to shore before authorities arrived at the scene, the release said. Both were hospitalized for burns and smoke inhalation.

The boat burned unoccupied for about 90 minutes before sinking, authorities said. Illinois Conservation Police will investigate the explosion.