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Volunteer firefighters from Wrights Corners, Wilson, Cambria and Miller Hose assist in loading a burn patient into Mercy Flight on Tuesday. A boat motor exploded and caught fire, causing injuries to three men an destroying the boat. Joe Eberle/US&J
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BOAT DESTROYED: Volunteer firefighters survey the damage to a boat whose engine exploded into flames, injuring three men Tuesday at 5659 Ridge Road, Wrights Corners. Joe Eberle/US&J
3 injured in boat explosion in Wrights Corners
— Three men were injured when a boat motor exploded and burst into flames around 5 p.m. Tuesday at 5659 Ridge Road near Johnson Road.
Adam Kumm, 23, of 55 Sixth St., North Tonawanda, told Niagara County sheriff’s deputies that he and two others were working on the engine of the boat when gasoline ignited and a fireball resulted.
The other two men are Joseph Woodring, 27, of 195 Mead St., North Tonawanda, and the boat owner, Jonathan Ludwig, 18, of the Ridge Road address.
The sheriff’s office said when they arrived, Wrights Corners firefighters were already treating the three men. While first responders were initially unsuccessful in dousing the engine fire on the boat with extinguishers, eventually Wrights Corners firefighters were able to put the blaze out.
Kumm was taken by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center with second-degree burns to his face and arms. He is listed in fair condition in the burn unit, the sheriff’s office said.
Woodring suffered second-degree burns to his arms and was taken by Cambria fire ambulance to ECMC, was treated, and has been discharged.
Ludwig was also transported by Mercy Flight to ECMC with second-degree burns to his arms. He is listed in fair condition, according to the report.
Ludwig’s girlfriend, Lainie Reid, 19, said Ludwig was showing his 16-foot fishing boat to two potential buyers when the motor malfunctioned.
“Two guys were looking at it, and the motor malfunctioned and exploded when he started the motor up,” Reid said. “All he was doing was starting it up.”
When asked how Ludwig was doing, Reid said: “As far as I know, he’s going to be OK.”
The sheriff’s office said the fiberglass AMF boat was destroyed.
Also assisting at the scene were volunteer fire companies from Miller Hose and Wilson fire companies.
The scene of the fire is home to Blaze’s Pony Express. Neighbors said the address is near a fatal accident site.
At 7:19 a.m. Dec. 22, Christina Portale, 29, of Lewiston, was driving east on Ridge Road near Johnson Road when she lost control of her vehicle in the snow, causing her to strike a westbound tractor-trailer, according to reports.
Deputies said the victim was pronounced dead on the scene.
Portale was a Spanish teacher at Newfane High School and the mother of two young children.
Contact reporter Britney Milazzo at 439-9222, ext. 6251.
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