APRIL 2, 2015
PRINCE GEORGE, VA (WWBT)
Prince George Fire crews rushed to douse a boat engulfed in
flames Wednesday evening, after an explosion sent smoke billowing above the
Appomattox River.
The fire scene halted all operations at the Appomattox Boat Harbor just after 5 p.m., at an area close to Temple Avenue and the Southpark Mall.
Medics airlifted one person to VCU Medical Center, who suffered third degree burns on his arms, as well as first and second degree burns on his face.
Witnesses around the marina saw flames covering the man's body, moments before he jumped into the river.
"When I saw him, the first thing that went through my mind is that I didn't think he could ever get out of there alive," said Prince George resident Milton Emory in an interview Wednesday. "I heard him hollering... I never saw that much fire that quickly."
According to fire officials, the owner of the 32-foot boat and a potential buyer experienced engine trouble on the river earlier in the afternoon.
The owner brought the boat back to the marina, and an explosion happened after he started to repair the engine.
The fire scene halted all operations at the Appomattox Boat Harbor just after 5 p.m., at an area close to Temple Avenue and the Southpark Mall.
Medics airlifted one person to VCU Medical Center, who suffered third degree burns on his arms, as well as first and second degree burns on his face.
Witnesses around the marina saw flames covering the man's body, moments before he jumped into the river.
"When I saw him, the first thing that went through my mind is that I didn't think he could ever get out of there alive," said Prince George resident Milton Emory in an interview Wednesday. "I heard him hollering... I never saw that much fire that quickly."
According to fire officials, the owner of the 32-foot boat and a potential buyer experienced engine trouble on the river earlier in the afternoon.
The owner brought the boat back to the marina, and an explosion happened after he started to repair the engine.
"When I turned around I was just in shock that it was
burning so badly," Emory said. "And I was just talking to the
[owner]. They just put 300 gallons of fuel in the boat... And they were taking
it to Maryland tomorrow."
Prince George Fire authorities allowed the gasoline to burn through the evening hours, with the fire extinguished around 8 p.m.
"Burning the fuel eliminates the hazard it poses," said Brad Owens of Prince George Fire and EMS in an interview Wednesday. "We will be monitoring the situation, but will just allow the fuel to burn to get rid of it."
The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. The shell of the boat remained in its dock early Thursday, with parts of surrounding boats partially charred or warped from the heat of the explosion.
Prince George Fire authorities allowed the gasoline to burn through the evening hours, with the fire extinguished around 8 p.m.
"Burning the fuel eliminates the hazard it poses," said Brad Owens of Prince George Fire and EMS in an interview Wednesday. "We will be monitoring the situation, but will just allow the fuel to burn to get rid of it."
The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. The shell of the boat remained in its dock early Thursday, with parts of surrounding boats partially charred or warped from the heat of the explosion.
Gasoline can auto-ignite at 500 degrees F. This is the minimum temperature required to ignite
its vapors in air without a spark or flame being present.
Engine surface temperatures and the exhausts
they create need to be below the autoignition temperatures of the flammable airborne
chemicals, or a fire/explosion is possible.
Sparks/flames can also trigger a fire or explosion during
the maintenance of gasoline engines.
It is important to note that there ignition sources on
engines:
1.
External temperature of engine parts; catalytic
converters can run very hot;
2.
Engine knock (fuel burning too fast) and
pre-ignition;
3.
Engine backfire;
4.
Diesel engine overspeed;
5.
Runaway diesel engines
As an example, the exhaust system temperature can range
between 295 and 550 degrees F. If this
boater had gasoline leak during maintenance and this gas came in contact with
the exhaust system components, then an explosion or fire would have to been
possible.
Also, the catalytic converter
exterior metal temperatures can reach 800 to 1000 degrees F. Thus, if the gasoline came in contact with these
metal parts it could also trigger an explosion or fire.
Source: http://www.nbc12.com