Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
CROMWELL - An explosion and fire destroyed a boat in a Lake Wawasee channel early Thursday morning.
At least three neighbors called in to report the incident to authorities after apparently being awakened by the 1:55 a.m. incident.
The boat - a 1999 Rinker 23-foot fiberglass Runabout Captiva model - was owned by Stephen J. Sidwell, of 9199 E. Lilac Lane, Cromwell, where it was moored.
Syracuse Fire Department Chief Larry Hunter said the explosion probably occurred after the fire got into the gas tank of the boat or ignited the gas fumes. A cause for the fire has not yet been determined.
The incident remains under investigation.
