Islip boat explosion injures man, officials say

An explosion on a sailboat with a gas leak injured a 44-year-old man whom officers found in the wreckage in Islip Thursday night, Suffolk police said.

The fire "self-extinguished," but the man, who was extricated through a hole opened in the sailboat, suffered serious burns, the Islip Fire Department said in a Facebook post.

Police later identified the man as Scott Murray, of Islip. He was flown to Stony Brook University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Officers responding to the approximately 10:13 p.m. blast, in a boat docked in a canal at 120 Main St., detected a "strong odor of gas" and found and secured a leaking propane tank, police said.

The address of the blast is the same as that of the restaurant White Cap Fish.

First responders started by "clearing debris from on top of the victim while additional Islip crews cut a hole in the port side of the boat to allow a Stokes basket to be brought onboard to package and extricate the patient," the Islip Fire Department said. 

U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Junior Grade Anthony Kostek said: "The initial report indicated one person I believe lived on that vessel and the fire was the result of a propane-related explosion."

The boat, which "sustained significant damage," remains tied up at the canal, called Orowoc Creek. "No pollution was reported," he added.

“A preliminary investigation has determined the cause of the incident does not appear to be criminal in nature,” police said, though the probe has yet to conclude.

First responders included the Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau, the Town of Islip HAZMAT team, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Islip Fire Department and Exchange Ambulance.