Two men were rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital after an explosion onboard a boat caused one of them severe burns.

Police, Fire Service trucks and ambulances attended the fire at Boaz Island, Somerset.

Lt. Dana Lovell of the Fire Service explained at roughly 7.20 yesterday evening, the two men had been refuelling the boat at the Boaz Island Service Station.

Once they moved a few hundred yards offshore, there was an explosion on the boat, forcing the men to jump overboard.

They were pulled out of the water by another boater who was passing by and turned his boat around when he saw the flames.

Port Royal Fire Station responded to the fire along with KEMH ambulances and Marine Police.

As a result of the extensive fire damage, the boat sunk, Lt. Lovell said.

A fire investigation will take place in the morning to determine the cause of the fire, he added.

A call to the hospital was unable to provide information on the condition of the two men by press time.