Sheriff’s officials say two men are in serious condition after being injured during a 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, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police and Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit also responded to the call.
The boat was east of the power plant, which is located near the intersection of Pershing Road and Greenwood Avenue in Waukegan.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said the sheriff’s Marine Unit located the 25-foot fiberglass hull powerboat engulfed in flames.
The unoccupied vessel burned for approximately 90 minutes before sinking.
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.
Covelli said in an update Tuesday evening that the two occupants of the boat were a 46-year-old Washington man and a 55-year-old Franklin Park man.
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.
Covelli said the two men were in serious condition with burns and smoke inhalation symptoms.
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 being investigated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police.