[UPDATE 9:45 a.m.] Boat Explosion Followed by Fire Reported at Eureka Marina
Humboldt Bay firefighters near the boat. [Photo by Mark McKenna]
An ambulance is responding.
Please remember that information gathered from initial reports is subject to revision as more facts become available.
UPDATE 9:21 a.m.: The boat fire has been extinguished.
UPDATE 9:25 a.m.: According to scanner traffic, the victim in his eighties was thrown backwards by the explosion and was injured. He is being taken to the hospital.
UPDATE 9:30 a.m.: A dog was on the boat at the time of the explosion, but was able to escape. EPD officers are taking care of it.
UPDATE 9:45 a.m.:
A firefighter examines the boat that was damaged. [Photo by Mark McKenna]
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Luckily the boat was docked and responders could get to the injured and fire. This could have been a completely different story if the vessel was offshore.
It scares me to see firefighters in full Structure-fire gear near open water. One slip and they may very well drown.
I understand that they accepted the open water risk to save a life, but they can’t save anybody if they get hurt.
Otherwise… Good job!
I know that you know what you’re talking about, but this is a tricky one! Standard protocol would be structure gear for an explosion and vehicle fire. Water rescue gear might not offer much heat and puncture protection. Plus first out engine is probably rolling with structure gear while any water rescue crew going might need a few more minutes to mobilize.
Bottom line is, our firefighters have to be always ready for all the weirdest trouble we can get into!
Being one that has had to listen to many lectures about ignoring protocol. I admire the firefighters for fulfilling the need to do the rescue. And, I’m sure the man appreciates it.
It will probably be fully discussed back at the station. Again… Good job!
We’ll have to split the buoyant PPE patent proceeds with the ‘Blackbelt!
Yes, Kym is a real solid advocate for firefighters and she is invaluable to people that need to be informed about fire scenes.
Firefighting is not something that will ever be perfectly safe. Training, practice, drill, and a good preplan, and most of all taking care of each other is key.
They have made great strides in safer PPE, they have made it lighter, the built in drag harness, the glass cased aluminum SCBA tank. Who knows, they might incorporate an inflatable vest like the SCUBA divers use. LOL.
Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it.
The man in his eighties is lucky to be alive. Thank you to the bystander who helped the gentleman out of the boat. Very happy that his dog was able to escape without injuries. Being tied to the dock opened the door for a quick response from the Humboldt Bay Firefighters. If the gentleman had been fishing out in the open waters, he may have perished. I hope his boat is not a total loss.
We are all lucky to be alive……every day we get.
The man is my papa and we are so thankful to the person who helped him!
Kaleigh I am extremely happy that your papa was not killed in that explosion and the bystander who helped him is a wonderful person. I hope he can get a new boat and start fishing again.
That sucks. Looks like an i/o with only an outboard kicker on the transom. Most likely something wrong with or he forgot to turn the blower on before trying to crank the engine. Maybe he got tuna fever and was in a hurry to get to the bite. Hope he’s alright.
Chris he is ok, but his boat valued at about twenty thousand dollars is a total loss. I am not sure if he turned on the blower(s) before starting the engine or not. It sure does not take much leaked fuel to transform you I/O into a floating bomb. I also praise the Humboldt Bay firefighters for wearing full turn out gear which I would think is normal on a fire in progress call.
Two explosion/boat fires in the past week seems like a lot. Really fortunate that everyone has survived.