Updated: 11/25/2009 10:56 PM KSTP.com | Print |  Email
By: Becky Nahm & Chris O'Connell

Retired Mpls. Cop Rescues 2 from Boat Explosion

A retired Minneapolis police officer rescued two women from a boat that exploded near his Florida home last week.

It happened in Englewood, Florida just north of Fort Myers.

Harry Baltzer who served with the Minneapolis Police Department for 25 years now splits his time between Gull Lake and his home in Florida.

Friday Baltzer heard a blast and saw a boat engulfed in flames.

Baltzer said he, "went toward their boat and told them jump, jump, before it blows.!

"There was smoke and sparks and one woman said she's got a broken shoulder and a broken wrist but we got to get off," said Baltzer.

Baltzer got onto the burning boat and help the women escape.

Just second after they were off the boat there was a second explosion that destroyed the boat.

Both women were taken to the hospital with some scratches and broken bones. But they're alive.

Balzter said anyone else would have done the same thing.