Fires | A rare boat was destroyed in Rajasaari: the fire was preceded by an explosion

Helsinki Two people were injured in the boat fire that happened in Rajasaari on Wednesday evening, June 5.

A 60-year-old mahogany inboard motorboat was destroyed in the fire. The rare Telva Merikukka wooden boat was 7.5 meters long.

One of the injured is the other owner of the boat Asko Takala.

Takala says that the fire was preceded by a loud bang when the engine compartment of the boat exploded. Just before the bang, Takala and his spouse in the boat smelled the smell of gasoline.

In an accident Takala received second-degree burns on both hands and milder burns on her face.

The “assistant boy” on the boat, i.e. Takala’s son-in-law, also got burns on his hands.

Takala’s spouse escaped injury because he was standing further away from the engine at the time of the explosion.

HS reports from the fire on the night of the event. According to the news, the fire started before eight in the evening.

To the boat the fire was fierce, Takala describes.

The situation started when the boat was launched. Takala’s group had taken the boat for a test ride, but returned to the dock when the engine stalled.

The boat was idling until the engine compartment completely unexpectedly “banged” and the engine caught fire.

“I suspect that gasoline had leaked from the engine, which then gassed and burst into flames,” Takala says on Monday.

“I noticed after the explosion that I was on fire, so I escaped to the pier and from there I entered the water from the adjacent jeep, or boat ramp,” he continues.

According to Takala, the fire progressed so quickly that nothing could be done.

“There was a fire extinguisher on the boat, but we had to leave the boat immediately. Outsiders also tried to extinguish the fire, but to no avail,” says Takala.

The pier also caught fire.

An accident as a result, the boat sank on the shore at Rajasaari’s boat launch. Takala does not believe that it can be saved anymore.

The boat is going to be raised on Monday and then delivered to the insurance company. It is hoped that the keys left there will be found in the boat.

According to Takala, there are only a few similar boats left. According to Takala, the boat and the approximately 40-year-old Volvo B20 engine had been serviced.

“It was lucky that we were on the pier and not at sea. We managed to save ourselves quickly”, reflects Takala.

Boating Takala is not about to quit, and he is not about to give up his Merisatama boat berth. Buying a new boat has already been in mind.

“I like the water, but I might not buy a new boat this summer. The boat will probably also be of another type.”