Overview

• At around 7 p.m. on July 4, a 23-foot cabin cruiser being towed on Lake Lanier near Margaritaville erupted in flames and exploded, injuring seven people aged 5 to 45.
• About two hours later, unpermitted fireworks on a pontoon boat detonated on Lake Martin’s Blue Creek, hospitalizing six individuals.
• Hall County Fire Rescue, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office deployed rescue boats, portable pumps and air medical units to control fires and evacuate victims.
• All injured parties remain in stable condition and no fatalities have been reported as investigators probe equipment malfunctions and permit violations.
• Officials have launched reviews of holiday boating safety protocols and fireworks regulations for high-traffic Southeast recreation lakes.