I’m a journeyman ship wright.
I know how to build and operate pleasure craft.
This was classic case of idiocy.
You always put “Sniffers” and explosion proof
ventilation in your bilges.
I had a propane leak once sniffer shut it down and it took 4 hours to get the propane cleared out.
I had barbecue that day(open air).
As you said, I suspect fumes built up and the blower/vent was not running. Rookie mistake if that's what occurred.