Operator was fishing and had taken V1 to the far west side of the lake.  At some point he attempted to start the 10hp Seahorse outboard motor and with the first pull of the starting rope he heard a large pop and then the outboard began to burn.  Operator stated he had a 5gal. gas can next to the outboard and he attempted to move the can to prevent it from catching fire, but it burst into flames.  Operator then jumped overboard and swam to the bank and walked back to the boat launch.  V1's fire was extinquished by Central EMS and towed back to the ramp.  Operator was examined by EMS personnel and had first and second degree burns on his toes on his right foot but refused treatment.

V1 was completely burned and there was a large hole in the starboard side as a result of the 12-volt battery.
PRAIRIE GROVE                 