Chicago (CBS) — At least 15 people are hospitalized after a boat caught fire in Seneca on Saturday afternoon. At least one of them has suffered serious injuries.
According to Illinois State Police, officers responded to a boat fire at Spring Brook Marina in LaSalle County at approximately 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
There were 17 people on the boat. Thirteen of them were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, and others were taken to another hospital with serious injuries. A marina employee was also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
The US Environmental Protection Agency on Sunday launched a recovery operation with the boat and the wreckage, which is expected to be removed from the Illinois River by noon.
The Illinois River is open but boaters are urged to exercise caution around the clean-up area, the ISP said.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police is leading an investigation into the incident.