LAKE SURREY, New Portsmouth -- Six people are confirmed dead and four others injured after a massive fire on a houseboat in rural New Portsmouth overnight.
Four of the fatalities were children, the New Portsmouth State Police said.
The fire broke out around midnight late Saturday night-early Sunday morning.
At the time of the fire, the boat was adrift about a mile off-shore on Lake Surrey, a large inland lake that is within the boundaries of Steigaken State Park, about 20 miles southeast of Mt. Sabacca National Park in rural central New Portsmouth.
In total, there were six adults and four children on board, all family members. Investigators believe the fire started when one of the children was playing with a lighter and ignited some linens in the cabin.
All four children, ages 4 through 8, were killed. Two elderly adults in their 70s were killed as well.
The Sabadohn County Coroner is still investigating, but believes the fatalities were caused either by burns and smoke inhalation.
One child is believed to have died of hypothermia after jumping into the water, which park rangers say was about 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
Investigators have determined the vessel exploded after catching fire, which may have also contributed to the deaths.
The New Portsmouth Parks Department and the Sabadohn County Sheriff's Department are investigating the fire. The New Portsmouth State Police are assisting in the investigation.
Chief Ranger Rick Steigall, Commissioner of the state Parks Department, said the fire is the worst in the history of the department.
"This is a very tragic and terrible situation. In my 31 years with the state Parks Department, I have never seen a tragedy of this proportion and this high of casualties," said Steigall.
Sabadohn County is the state's largest geographically, but one of the smallest in population. It is home to Mt. Sabacca National Park, as well as numerous other natural recreation areas.
Lake Surrey is the largest lake in the state, more than 18 miles long and more than 4 miles wide.
New Portsmouth Gov. Charles Wornkin promised a thorough investigation into the matter, and a re-evaluation of maritime safety laws that govern the state's lakes and rivers.
"We will, of course, look very deeply and extensively into the cause, and to determine if there is anything that could have been done to prevent the loss of life in this awful tragedy," said Wornkin.
Four of the fatalities were children, the New Portsmouth State Police said.
The fire broke out around midnight late Saturday night-early Sunday morning.
At the time of the fire, the boat was adrift about a mile off-shore on Lake Surrey, a large inland lake that is within the boundaries of Steigaken State Park, about 20 miles southeast of Mt. Sabacca National Park in rural central New Portsmouth.
In total, there were six adults and four children on board, all family members. Investigators believe the fire started when one of the children was playing with a lighter and ignited some linens in the cabin.
All four children, ages 4 through 8, were killed. Two elderly adults in their 70s were killed as well.
The Sabadohn County Coroner is still investigating, but believes the fatalities were caused either by burns and smoke inhalation.
One child is believed to have died of hypothermia after jumping into the water, which park rangers say was about 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
Investigators have determined the vessel exploded after catching fire, which may have also contributed to the deaths.
The New Portsmouth Parks Department and the Sabadohn County Sheriff's Department are investigating the fire. The New Portsmouth State Police are assisting in the investigation.
Chief Ranger Rick Steigall, Commissioner of the state Parks Department, said the fire is the worst in the history of the department.
"This is a very tragic and terrible situation. In my 31 years with the state Parks Department, I have never seen a tragedy of this proportion and this high of casualties," said Steigall.
Sabadohn County is the state's largest geographically, but one of the smallest in population. It is home to Mt. Sabacca National Park, as well as numerous other natural recreation areas.
Lake Surrey is the largest lake in the state, more than 18 miles long and more than 4 miles wide.
New Portsmouth Gov. Charles Wornkin promised a thorough investigation into the matter, and a re-evaluation of maritime safety laws that govern the state's lakes and rivers.
"We will, of course, look very deeply and extensively into the cause, and to determine if there is anything that could have been done to prevent the loss of life in this awful tragedy," said Wornkin.
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