A newly constructed motorboat caught fire off Malamawi Island in Isabela City, Basilan on Sunday, injuring one person.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that motorboat "Prince 1" was razed by fire in the vicinity waters off Barangay Marang-Marang, Malamawi Island around 7:20 a.m.
According to Coast Guard Station Isabela, 60-year-old Macdal Mahalail was conducting sea trial to his newly constructed motorbanca when one of his reserved gallons of gasoline accidentally fell off to the boat's engine and sparked a fire.
Coast Guard Seaman First Class (CG SN1) Christopher Pacarat, of the PCG seamarshal unit, happened to pass by the blazing motorbanca while onboard MV Reina Kleopatra of Montenegro Shipping Lines so he reported the sighting to the Coast Guard Station Isabela.
Responding units from Coast Guard Sub-Station Malamawi found the distressed vessel at 8:10 a.m. and rescued Mahalail who sustained first degree burn on his right knee and shoulder.
The PCG said that Mahalail tried to combat the fire and threw the gallon to the sea waters which caused his injuries.
Coast Guard personnel applied first aid to Mahalail, turned him over to his family, and advised them to bring the victim to the nearest hospital for proper medical attention.