Barge Blast Injures 7 Children -- Youths Were Playing On Floating Dock; One In Critical Condition

An explosion rocked a barge tied to a public pier in Port Hadlock yesterday, critically injuring a 13-year-old boy and sending six other children to the hospital.

The children were reportedly attending a birthday party on the waterfront. The injured included a girl who was celebrating her birthday.

The critically injured boy and two 12-year-old boys were airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Four others, ranging in age from 6 to 14 years old, were taken to Jefferson County General Hospital in Port Townsend, said Dana Michelsen, the hospital's clinical director of nursing.

The cause of the blast was not immediately known. However, Sgt. Robert Haynes of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said late last night that preliminary investigation indicated that the explosive substance may have been a form of caulking glue known as Liquid Nails.

On the platform of the floating dock was a 4-inch air vent. One of the youngsters opened it, smelled the vapors, and then lit a match, which could have caused the explosion, Haynes said.

The barge did not appear to have an engine or fuel tank, said Judy McFerran, spokeswoman for Jefferson County Fire District 1.

"It was an incredible explosion. I thought it was the restaurant," said Tom Weiner, who owns the Ajax Cafe about 100 feet from the barge. "The noise was deafening."

According to the Jefferson County authorities, the explosion occurred about 5:20 p.m. on the flat barge, which was being used as a portable dock. Five of the injured children were on the barge, and two others were on an adjacent stationary dock.

The force of the explosion sent pieces of the wooden dock 35 to 40 feet into the air and spread debris along the waterfront, witnesses said. There apparently was no fire.

The blast shattered several windows at the Ajax Cafe.

"I just ran for the phone and called 911," said cafe co-owner Linda Weiner. "There was a nurse in here eating, and she ran for the dock."

Linda Weiner said at least one girl had been seen swimming near the dock. She was not injured.

At Harborview, the 13-year-old boy was admitted with head, chest, face and arm injuries. One of the 12-year-old boys was reported in satisfactory condition with cuts to his left leg; the second 12-year-old was in satisfactory condition with two broken legs and a broken arm.

A spokeswoman for the Jefferson County hospital said the 14-year-old girl who was celebrating her birthday suffered injuries and burns. A 13-year-old girl and 12-year-old boy were treated and released. A 6-year-old boy was transferred to Tacoma's Mary Bridge Children's Hospital.

The barge, a wooden structure about 40 feet long and 20 feet wide, was floated to Port Hadlock a week ago and secured to a public dock and launch ramp maintained by the Port of Port Townsend, said Tom Weiner. The barge was being used by the Wooden Boat Foundation for its summer sailing program, he said.

Several of the youths playing on the dock were students from nearby Chimacum Junior High School, he said.

Members of the Jefferson County Fire Investigation Task Force were investigating the cause of the blast.