Holland, MA – The smoking bow of a boat could be seen sticking out of the water at Hamilton Reservoir following an engine explosion around 3 p.m Saturday.
The boats owner and his friend were working on the boat at the owners dock when the engine backfired, caused by an improper air-to-fuel ratio that leads to combustion, according to authorities. The owner was retrieving a device to hook up to the boat when it exploded with his friend on board.
When the friend heard the explosion, he jumped off the boat into the water, pushing it into the lake. Another boat towed the flaming ship before it sunk next to the causeway, police said. The Holland Fire Department then extinguished the fire.
No injuries were reported, authorities said.