Moment 30-foot yacht EXPLODES on fire, injuring 15 after refueling at marina

A 30-foot yacht burst into flames after being refueled at the Spring Brook Marina in Seneca, Illinois, US, injuring 15 youth and adults and airlifting one man to the hospital

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Seneca: Boat explodes at Illinois marina

This is the moment a 30-foot boat burst into flames after an explosion that injured 15 people.

The vessel caught fire when the engine was turned on after being refueled at Spring Brook Marina in Seneca, Illinois, United States.

There were 17 people on board the boat when the disaster struck, 13 of whom were subsequently taken to local hospitals.

The injured included both teenagers and adults, reports ABC 7.

A man was flown to hospital with serious injuries, while a dock worker who was near the boat when it exploded was also injured.

The ship pulled into the marina to refuel after encountering engine problems.

An explosion rocked the yacht as the ignition was turned back on.

The charred remains of the boat can now be seen partially underwater in the marina.

Witness Stephanie Manzello told Fox 32: “We were at the pool, kids were swimming. We just heard a loud bang and looked around.

“It’s Memorial Day weekend, we thought it might just be fireworks. About 30 seconds later we saw gray smoke turn to black smoke.

“Just a few minutes later, we started hearing sirens.”

It comes after a £6million superyacht that caught fire at a UK marina sank, potentially spilling nine tonnes of diesel into blue waters across the country.

The alarm was raised around midday in Torquay, Devon, when the 85ft vessel caught fire and drifted from its moorings, prompting the closure of several local businesses and warnings to locals.

Despite the best efforts of the fire department, the luxury yacht sank around 4 p.m.

The Environment Agency fears she could trigger a small ecological disaster as she carried on board an almost full tank of fuel that is believed to have spilled into the sea.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “The boat is believed to have caught fire and become loose from the mooring but was later secured by firefighters near the pier. No injuries were reported.

“Just before 4 p.m. the ship was completely submerged. The harbor master, supported by the Environment Agency, will attempt to safely salvage the ship when the time comes.

“All road closures and most cordons have now been lifted and the area is open to the public again. A barrier remains in place at the pier.

“The investigation to determine the cause of the fire, which is currently being treated as unexplained, is ongoing.”

The Environment Agency says about nine tons of diesel may have spilled into the ocean as a result of the incident and officials are working to limit the pollution.

They tweeted: “With the yacht now sunken and with about 9 tons of diesel on board, your focus is now on pollution. Pollution response is managed by the harbor master.

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“Our officials are helping with advice and guidance on bathing water quality etc.

“Our officers checked the air quality in Torquay Harbor this afternoon following the yacht fire which was declared a serious incident.

“It is believed that there are no real air quality issues, but we are monitoring the situation.”