Members Of A Bartlesville Family Injured In Osage County Boat Fire

Five people, including three children, are recovering after their boat caught fire Sunday in Osage County.  

It happened at Bluestem Lake northwest of Pawhuska.

Osage County sheriff's deputies and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol say the driver of the boat tried to start it three times.  On the third attempt, the engine compartment ignited injuring five and heavily damaging the boat.  

9/5/2016 Related Story: Five Bartlesville Residents Injured In Osage County Boat Fire

Members of the Matthew Long family had a very close call after the boat, a caught fire in the middle of the lake.

"I'd say they are very lucky. It could have been a much bigger fire than what it was," said John Gay.

"A large group of children and adults gathered around and we could tell someone was injured laying on the ground," said Barbara Gay.  

Troopers say the boat owner, Mathew  Long, was driving and there were ten others on board. including seven children. 

The OHP report states fumes in the engine compartment started the fire. 

"We don't know if they all jumped in the water, some stayed on the boat, I'm sure he had a fire extinguisher on the boat and probably somebody stayed and put the fire out or else it would have burnt plum up," said John Gay.

Two adults were injured and three children.  One of the adults along with a two and five year old were flown by helicopter to a Tulsa hospital. 

Gay hopes  they are all okay after the ordeal. 

"I feel bad that it happened, but they do happen, no matter how safe you are. Thank goodness, I think they all had their life jackets," said John Gay.

The OHP says a two year old was admitted to the hospital with a hand injury.