3 injured after boat bursts into flames in NY

By Charlie Specht
The Buffalo News

WRIGHT'S CORNERS, N.Y. — Three men were injured, one seriously, at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday when a boat burst into flames in the front yard of a home on Route 104, Wright's Corners Fire Company officials said.

The three were working on the boat — a mustard-yellow AMF Slickcraft — when the 16-foot craft burst into flames, Niagara County sheriff's officials said.

The fire left much of the boat's interior charred. And next to 11/2-foot hole toward the rear of the craft, partially melted jumper cables — still hooked up to the engine — dangled to the ground.

A ratchet set rested on the boat's rear seat, just a foot away from the burned backs of the boat's two front seats. Engine parts were strewn on the lawn beside the boat.

John Jancef, who lives next-door, was driving toward the scene when he noticed smoke billowing next to his house.

"I flew into the driveway," he said. "It was really going. There was big, black smoke, a lot of fiberglass."

Adam Kumm, 23, of 6th Street, North Tonawanda, suffered second-degree burns to his face and arms. He was taken to Erie County Medical Center by Mercy Flight, along with Jonathan Ludwig, 18, of Ridge Road, Lockport, who suffered second-degree burns to his arms. Joseph Woodring, 27, of North Tonawanda, was taken by ambulance to ECMC with second-degree burns to his arms. Kumm and Ludwig were in fair condition, and Woodring was discharged Tuesday night.

Jancef took a guess as to what triggered the fire.

"[Maybe the] jumper cables arched and ignited the gas," he said, "[and] what gas was in there exploded. I guess it knocked all three out of the boat."

What triggered the fire had not been decided by fire officials late Tuesday.

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