Boaters allegedly harass others flying pride flags; fire breaks out
A boat burns on Moses Lake on Sunday, allegedly after its occupants harassed another boat flying pride flags.
Courtesy photo
Little information is confirmed of a boat fire Sunday afternoon on Moses Lake, but mechanical trouble might have caused the blaze.
Twitter user @retro_ushi_’s edited video of the event went viral over the weekend, with more than 500,000 views as of Tuesday, of what appears to be a blue vessel before it catches fire, circling the Twitter user’s boat and someone raising up a middle finger. Then, the video cuts to the boat on fire with the occupants swimming toward the Twitter user.
In a following video, the fire victims get into the Twitter user’s boat. According to Twitter, @retro_ushi_ took the victims back to the dock.
The Grant County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and towed the flaming boat to safety.
@retro_ushi_ tweeted: “These people harassed my family because we were flying gay pride flags in Moses Lake Washington, by racing around us and shouting gay slurs. Then, their boat literally blew up! #KarmaIsReal”
According to @retro_ushi_, the boat caught fire because of a damaged carburetor, or it took in water and stalled. Fumes built up when it tried to speed away and the engine ignited.
The sheriff’s office said it has been attempting to contact those involved with questions.