http://wcco.com/local/boat.explosion.fire.2.1181752.html
BUFFALO, Minn. (WCCO) ―
Gas fumes from a boat motor exploded as a man was putting his boat into the water burning him and his four children. It happened on Lake Pulaski near Buffalo around 2:30 Sunday afternoon.
"We were on one side of the dock and they were on the other and we were both getting ready to just go out on the lake," said Michelle Kivi.
Kivi said a man and his four children were on the boat next to them. Just when they were preparing to launch, she said she heard what sounded like a gunshot.
"My back was turned to their boat and all of a sudden we just heard this big boom. The cover had blown off the motor and hit one of the kids in the face so they had like a cut," said Kivi.
Kivi said instantly smoke and fire filled the boat.
Police said the man and his children suffered minor burns. The boat was tied to the dock when it caught fire. Witnesses say it's owner, with a little help from a fellow boater, tried to put out the flames with fire extinguishers they both had on boat.
"We used a fire extinguisher until it was gone but it just kept getting bigger and bigger until everybody just ran from the dock," said Kivi.
Firefighters arrived within minutes to put out the flames.
The family was taken to an area hospital where they were treated and released. The Wright County Sheriff said the man forgot to clear fumes off the motor before starting it.
Boaters say clearing fumes from the motor is something you do every time before going out on the water.
"The engine compartment is very enclosed. If there's any gas that gets in there when you throw the ignition switch, it can go up in flames and it can go up in flames very quickly just as it happened here," said Clare Grundtner.
The Wright County Sheriff says because this was an accident no charges will be filed or citations issued.
BUFFALO, Minn. (WCCO) ―
Gas fumes from a boat motor exploded as a man was putting his boat into the water burning him and his four children. It happened on Lake Pulaski near Buffalo around 2:30 Sunday afternoon.
"We were on one side of the dock and they were on the other and we were both getting ready to just go out on the lake," said Michelle Kivi.
Kivi said a man and his four children were on the boat next to them. Just when they were preparing to launch, she said she heard what sounded like a gunshot.
"My back was turned to their boat and all of a sudden we just heard this big boom. The cover had blown off the motor and hit one of the kids in the face so they had like a cut," said Kivi.
Kivi said instantly smoke and fire filled the boat.
Police said the man and his children suffered minor burns. The boat was tied to the dock when it caught fire. Witnesses say it's owner, with a little help from a fellow boater, tried to put out the flames with fire extinguishers they both had on boat.
"We used a fire extinguisher until it was gone but it just kept getting bigger and bigger until everybody just ran from the dock," said Kivi.
Firefighters arrived within minutes to put out the flames.
The family was taken to an area hospital where they were treated and released. The Wright County Sheriff said the man forgot to clear fumes off the motor before starting it.
Boaters say clearing fumes from the motor is something you do every time before going out on the water.
"The engine compartment is very enclosed. If there's any gas that gets in there when you throw the ignition switch, it can go up in flames and it can go up in flames very quickly just as it happened here," said Clare Grundtner.
The Wright County Sheriff says because this was an accident no charges will be filed or citations issued.
PROOF AGAIN that technology does not provide for a more intelligent populace. 
