Two men injured in boat fire on Sunshine Coast

Footage has emerged of firefighters battling a Sunshine Coast boat blaze which left two men with serious burns. Fire investigators have now revealed why it went up. Details + Video

Fire investigators have ruled a boat fire “accidental” saying it was likely caused by a fuel leak explosion at a Sunshine Coast business as paramedics treated two men for serious burns.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Service spokeswoman said on Friday three crews were called to Orana St, in Buddina, about 10.35am today, February 2, following reports of a boat on fire.

Police cordoned off a section of Lawrie’s Boat Services with another police vehicle in the car park.

A fire spokesman said the first crew arrived about 10.45am and there was “a lot” of smoke on arrival.

It had since been ruled as an “accidental” fire caused by something to do with the boat engine by fire investigators.

A QFES spokesman said on Monday, February 5, the boat owner had an engine expert investigating the matter now.

Firefighters battle a boat blaze on a dry dock in Buddina, on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Contributed

The fire spokesman said the fire was in a boat on a dry dock.

“The fire was under control just before 11, fire out just after 11.15 and a fire investigation will be attached to it,” he said.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency spokeswoman said on Saturday a fire investigator arrived at the scene just before 8am and a Workplace Health and Safety Queensland spokeswoman said investigations were also being conducted by their office.

“As this is a current investigation, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is not able to provide further information at this time,” the spokeswoman said.

A man who was passing by, and had previously worked at the dry dock for about 20 years, said he heard the massive explosion.

“I heard a big bang from the boat yard,” he said.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said two men, one in his 40s and another in his 30s, were being treated for burns.

Queensland Ambulance Service Kawana officer-in-charge Daniel Townson said his team looked over two patients with serious burns and a few others who were helping extinguish the fire before firefighters arrived.

Police are at Lawrie's Boat Services following reports of two men being injured and a boat fire. Picture: Madeline Grace

“They had some fair significant burns to their limbs,” he said.

“I assessed another seven people who were on scene and none of them had any complaints at all but just as a precaution.”

The two men were taken to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a stable condition with serious burns.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service acting fire inspector Matthew Phillips pointed to a likely cause.

“It’s most likely that the petrol-fuelled boat has had a leak at some stage causing vapours that were ignited,” he said.

Inspector Phillips said there was no risk of the fire spreading because of the separation of the work areas at the dry dock.

Caloundra Police Sergeant Tegan Grasso said all of those injured were still alive following the boat explosion.