The boat operator just put $500.00 down on the 31'  1971  Trojan Express cabin boat to the titled owner.  A purchasing agreement was drawn up by owner that both he and new owner allegedly agreed to.  New owner left theVillages Marina, navigating southward to his lake front cabin near the Hwy. 155 bridge.  Nearing the bridge and approximately 300-400 yards from the east shoreline, New owner noticed smoke coming from the starboard engine compartment.  He tried to extinghuish the smoke/fire with the three extinghuishers he had on board, however, they did not work.  (At this time a homeowner on Lake Palestine observed the smoke from the vessel and called 911).  New owner could not put the fire out, so he grabbed the nearest two ring bouys and jumped into the lake.  Another nearby homeowner heard him yell for help and launched his boat to retrieve him out of the water.  The wind helped ignite the flame on the vessel as it drifted towards the shoreline and nearby piers.  Banging off one pier, the vessel came to rest against Spiller's T-pier and continued to burn.  Noonday VFD arrived and began watering down the now fully engulfed vessel and fishing pier.  Once the fire was under control, good samaritan tied what was left of the vessel to his pier.  New owner suffered mild hypothermia, but was okay.  

Investigator with TPWD completed the report.

Coffee City                   