Two people were hospitalized after being injured during a possible boat explosion that left the boat engulfed in flames on Lake Michigan near Waukegan.
The Waukegan Fire Department responded around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday to a report of a water rescue on Lake Michigan near the former NRG Waukegan Generating Station.
Waukegan Fire Marshal Todd Zupec said it was reported to dispatch that a boat had exploded and there were two injured burn victims.
The United States Coast Guard and Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit also responded to the area.
The boat was east of the power plant, which is located near the intersection of Pershing Road and Greenwood Avenue in Waukegan.
The boat was a total loss after it became fully engulfed in flames and sunk.
Zupec said a boat in the area had rescued the two victims and transported them to the Waukegan Harbor and Marina, 55 South Harbor Place.
Paramedics were waiting for the boat to arrive at the harbor.
Both victims were treated and transported to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, Zupec said.
Medical helicopters were requested but they were unavailable due to weather conditions.
Zupec said the victims’ conditions were not available but their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
People visiting the Waukegan Municipal Beach told a Lake and McHenry County Scanner reporter that they were shocked to see the black smoke billowing in the distance.
The cause of the explosion is not known yet.