A boat freshly loaded with 2 HUNDRED gallons of gas burst into flames off the Antioch shore past due Tuesday morning and needed to be towed to a close-by sandbar and sunk, witnesses and firefighters said.

Boat proprietor Wayne Carroll, of Sherman Island, stated he'd was hoping to promote the 30-foot cabin cruiser and was taking it out for a spin within the San Joaquin River close to the Antioch Bridge. He had spotted the engine "looked to be limping," whilst abruptly he heard and felt an explosion and noticed flames.

Carroll and other folks aboard jumped off and swam to safety, he said.

Meanwhile, San Joaquin Yacht Harbor grasp Ron Cherry and his family member Garry Ridolfi had stepped out of doors to perform a little paintings at the harbor in advance of midday after they noticed the flaming boat and known as 911, Ridolfi stated. The fireplace was mentioned at 11:53 a.m.

The boat drifted close to a few wooden pilings in entrance of the harbor, which additionally ignited and needed to be extinguished, Contra Costa Fireplace District Capt. Jim Howard stated. However, the harbor itself had no obvious damage.

Both fires have been out by 12:48 p.m., officers mentioned. The boat was towed to a close-by sandbar and sunk, Howard mentioned.

No accidents have been straight away suggested. Carroll stated he was grateful he did not take alongside his dog, which usually loves to take a seat on best of the engine compartment.

Pacific Fuel & Electrical Co. has a herbal fuel plant nearby, the Gateway Producing Station. The hearth didn't impact the station and no dangers

or impact on provider gave the impression imminent, a PG&E spokesperson said.

Staff creator Paul Burgarino and body of workers photographer Susan Pollard contributed to this report.