Leaking fuel tanks blamed for explosion

EUFAULA, Okla. (AP) -- Leaking fuel tanks caused an explosion and<br>fire that destroyed a houseboat on Lake Eufaula minutes after the<br>driver got gasoline at the Eufaula Cove Marina.<br> <br>The Oklahoma

Monday, August 23rd 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

EUFAULA, Okla. (AP) -- Leaking fuel tanks caused an explosion and
fire that destroyed a houseboat on Lake Eufaula minutes after the
driver got gasoline at the Eufaula Cove Marina.

The Oklahoma Lake Patrol said the tanks on the 1973 Silver Queen
houseboat were leaking fuel from the top to the bottom of the
houseboat.

A small explosion and fire broke out when the driver started the
engines Saturday morning. Fire extinguishers were used to put out
the blaze but the fire burned insulation from some wires, which
reignited leaking fuel, the Lake Patrol said.

Lake Patrol units towed the burning houseboat away from the
marina and to the shore, where firefighters extinguished the
flames. No injuries were reported, but the houseboat was a total
loss, the Lake Patrol said.