New details on Lake Wawasee boat fire

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, Ind. – A boat that caught fire and sank on Lake Wawasee over the weekend was towed Wednesday afternoon.

The boat caught fire just before 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon with eight people on board. Two of the passengers had to be taken to the hospital for second-degree burns but all eight occupants were able to make it to shore safely.

Officials determined that two inboard engines in the boat caught on fire when the owner tried to start the boat after fueling it.

Conservation officers are reminding boat owners and operators to run bilge blowers before starting inboard engines for the entire time recommended by the boat’s manufacturer.