PORT TOWNSEND — A small boat caught fire Wednesday after its owner tried to light a propane heater that blew up in his face.

The trimaran with no name on the hull was parked in a storage yard at 31 Workman St. in Port Townsend, in an open space that houses about 15 boats in various states of repair.

The owner, who was not identified, was trying to start a small propane heater at about 11 a.m. when it exploded and seared his face and hands with first- and second-degree burns, said Bill Beezley, East Jefferson Fire-Rescue spokesman.

The man was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Without his name, it is not possible to get a statement on his condition from the hospital.

Damage to the boat was minor, Beezley said.

Port Townsend boat-builder Tom George, who has an office across the street from the storage yard, said that he heard the blast just before the man came to him for water.

The man was fairly calm, George said, but told him he was afraid he might go into shock.

George led the man to a nearby sink, where he splashed water on his face and hands, and then phoned 9-1-1 for emergency help.

Armed with a fire extinguisher, George walked across the street to the boat and tried to quell the flames.

Firefighters arrived soon and put out the fire by about 1 p.m.

The firefighters removed gasoline from the boat.

Neighbor Craig Montague said that other boat owners in the area have started fires by using faulty heaters and that “it is always a concern around here.”

He did not hear the explosion or see the victim but he said the fire “smelled like there was a lot of burning paper.”