Nine people were hurt Saturday afternoon when a boat exploded along the canal next to Schaefer's Canal House in Chesapeake City, turning a summer stop for boaters into an emergency scene, authorities said. Fire and rescue crews rushed to the Bank Street restaurant after 911 calls came in at about 4:20 p.m., and responders found victims both on the vessel and on a nearby dock.
The Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal said crews from Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 of Chesapeake City and Cecil County were dispatched for a reported boat explosion at Schaefer’s Canal House, according to WBAL. Investigators reported that seven people were on the boat and two were on the dock. Four of the injured were flown to hospitals and three others were taken by ambulance. Officials have not released the conditions of those hurt, and investigators remained on scene as crews worked into the evening.
Where it happened
Schaefer’s Canal House is a longtime waterfront restaurant and marina on Bank Street, a spot that regularly draws boat traffic along the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. The business lists marina services and its canal-side location on its website, with boat slips sitting next to the restaurant’s outdoor seating areas. Schaefer’s Canal House lists its address as 208 Bank Street in Chesapeake City.
What can make a boat explode
Explosions and fast-moving fires aboard smaller boats are often tied to gasoline vapors, electrical faults or battery failures in confined engine or bilge spaces. Boating-safety groups say that accumulated fuel fumes and faulty wiring are frequent culprits and urge boaters to run bilge blowers before starting engines, keep electrical systems properly maintained and use vapor detectors where appropriate. Guidance from organizations such as BoatUS notes that electrical problems and fuel vapor buildup rank among the leading causes of onboard fires.
Investigation ongoing
State fire marshals and local fire and EMS units led the response while the cause of the explosion remained under investigation, officials said. The initial Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal field report and details about the victims were relayed by WBAL, which reported that the story was still developing as authorities continued their work.
