Officials said the 17-year-old was trying to start the personal watercraft when it exploded and caught fire.
CONROE, TX — A 17-year-old girl was thrown into Lake Conroe after a Sea-Doo exploded near a dock this week, creating a fireball that was caught on video and leaving her without major injuries, officials said.
The explosion drew a fast response from fire crews and medics after the personal watercraft burst into flames on the lake near State Highway 105. The incident raised new attention after surveillance video showed the blast lifting the teen into the air before she landed in the water. Officials said the cause of the explosion had not been determined.
The girl was trying to start the Sea-Doo when something went wrong, according to early reports from authorities. The watercraft exploded and caught fire while it was on or near the water, sending flames and smoke into the air. Witnesses described a sudden boom and a large flash near the dock area. “It sounded like a bomb went off,” one witness said in a local television report. The teen was able to get out of the water after the blast, and medics evaluated her at the scene.
Fireboats moved in to put out the burning watercraft while first responders checked on the injured teen, according to emergency traffic reports from the scene. The Montgomery County Police Reporter said fireboats were extinguishing a burning jet ski in the middle of Lake Conroe and that medics were evaluating a patient who was already on shore. Later reports identified the patient as a 17-year-old girl. Authorities said she was expected to be OK. No major injuries were reported, and no other victims were publicly identified.
The explosion happened on Lake Conroe, a large reservoir northwest of Houston that is used heavily for boating, fishing and personal watercraft. The lake sits in Montgomery and Walker counties and is bordered by homes, docks, marinas and businesses. State Highway 105 runs along the busy southern side of the lake, where many boat ramps, restaurants and waterfront stops draw heavy traffic during warm weather. The lake is a popular weekend destination, which can make even a small emergency visible to many people nearby.
Officials had not announced any charges or enforcement action as of Saturday, June 20, 2026. The cause of the blast remained under review, and authorities had not said whether fuel vapors, a mechanical failure or another issue led to the explosion. Investigators were expected to examine the damaged Sea-Doo and review video from the area. The girl’s name was not released in the early reports, and officials did not release a detailed medical update beyond saying she did not suffer major injuries.
The video spread quickly because it showed a quiet moment turn into a violent burst of fire. In the footage, the personal watercraft appears near a dock before the explosion sends debris, flames and water into the air. The teen is seen being launched upward and then falling into the lake. Nearby people moved toward the water after the blast. The short clip became the clearest public record of the incident while officials worked to piece together what happened before the ignition.
Conroe firefighters serve the lake area with fire stations and equipment that include a fireboat assigned to Station 6 near Highway 105. Those crews are often called to lake emergencies involving boats, swimmers and dock areas. In this case, the fire response focused on knocking down flames from the personal watercraft and making sure the patient was evaluated. The damaged Sea-Doo was left as the main piece of evidence in determining how the explosion began.
The teen had no major injuries reported after the blast, and the investigation into the cause remained open Saturday. The next public update is expected when officials release findings on the damaged watercraft or confirm whether any further action will be taken.
Author note: Last updated June 20, 2026.