Missouri Highway Patrol confirmed that the boat explosion on the Lake of the Ozarks which injured 16 people is believed to have been caused by a buildup of gas fumes.

MSHP Troop F tweeted: “Troopers are investigating a boat explosion at the Millstone Marina at Lake of the Ozarks Gas fumes built up in the engine area and a spark set off the explosion.” State patrol later tweeted a safety tip advising that all windows, ports, doors and other openings should be opened and any power ventilation system, such as an exhaust blower, should be turned on after fueling a boat.

It was reported by multiple local news agencies that the explosion happened on Friday afternoon with 15 people on board the boat; one person who was on the dock nearby was also injured, with three people ejected from the boat.  According to an incident report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the injured were between 6 and 43 years old, with four children under the age of 12.

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