Update published 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 5:
Authorities now say seven people were injured when a boat exploded on Lake Lanier on the Fourth of July.
Hall County Fire Rescue officials initially reported five people were injured in the explosion, which happened around 7:00 p.m. near Margaritaville at Lake Lanier Islands near Buford. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, however, reported Saturday in their statewide boating incident report that seven people, ranging in age from 5 to 45.
Those people reportedly suffered second and third-degree burns from the explosion of the 23-foot cabin cruiser. The cruiser was reporteldy in to nearby Landshark Cove where paramedics tended to the injured people.
No details have been released on what caused the explosion.
Original story published 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 4:
Hall County authorities are investigating after a boat explosion left five people injured near Lake Lanier Islands in the Buford area of the lake on July Fourth.
Kimberlie Ledsinger with Hall County Fire Rescue said the explosion happened around 7:00 p.m. It was reportedly in the area of Margaritaville.
"Upon arrival, the HCFR rescue boat crew discovered a boat with five foot flames and 5 patients in need of care," Ledsinger said.
Four people were taken from the scene by helicopter to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta for treatment. While the exent of their injuries was not released, they were described by officials as being in stable condition.
"The boat was extinguished utilizing a portable pump and also with assistance from Gainesville Fire's Marine Rescue boat. It has been towed to shore and is no longer in flames," Ledsinger said.
The Hall County Sheriff's Office also issued a statement on social media Friday evening saying they had deputies on the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigaiton by the Hall County Fire Marshal's Office.
