TITUSVILLE, Fla. — A 35-foot boat that was being fueled exploded at the Titusville Municipal Marina fuel dock on Monday, according to authorities.
The explosion happened at about 11:18 a.m., injuring two people.
Witness Jeff Engebretsen said the top of the hull popped 5 feet into the air.
"I ain't never heard nothing like that in my life. It was fricken crazy, man," said Engebretsen.
Investigators said the boaters had just finished refueling and ran the blower to clear out the fumes, but when they tried to start the engines, only one would start.
Then, on the third try, the starboard engine blew up.
"We went out there and grabbed the fire extinguishers as we went and dragged him out," said boater Brian Forsyth.
Emergency responders loaded one of the boat's passengers, 75-year-old Philip Pendleton, into a helicopter across U.S. Route 1 for the flight to Holmes Regional Medical Center.
Witnesses said he was in the cabin at the time of the explosion.
The 68-year-old man who owns the boat, Leon Lincoln, only suffered minor injuries and was released from Parish Medical Center, authorities said.
Florida Fish and Wildlife said it had five docks blocked off for the entire day.
Authorities from four other agencies are also investigating.