Two people were hospitalized after being injured in a possible boat explosion on Lake Michigan near Waukegan, which then caught fire.
The Waukegan Fire Department responded to a report of a water rescue on Lake Michigan near the former NRG Waukegan Power Plant around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Todd Zupec, Waukegan fire marshal, said dispatchers were notified of a boat explosion and two people were injured in the fire.
The United States Coast Guard and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit were also on site.
The boat was located east of the power plant, which is near the intersection of Pershing Road and Greenwood Avenue in Waukegan.
The boat was a total loss after it burst into flames and sank.
Zupec said a boat in the area rescued the two victims and took them to Waukegan Harbor and Marina, 55 South Harbor Place.
Paramedics waited for the boat to arrive at the port.
Both victims were treated and taken to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, Zupec said.
Rescue helicopters were requested, but they were not available due to weather conditions.
Zupec said the condition of the victims was unknown, but their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
The cause of the explosion is not yet known.