BOAT OPERATOR & WIFE ON BOARD HAD JUST FUELED UP AT THE CALUMET HARBOR IN COLUMBIA PARK. THEY WERE IN THE CHANNEL HEADING WEST TOWARDS THE ENTRANCE TO LAKE WINNEBAGO. OPERATOR HEARD A LOUD ENGINE BACKFIRE, OPENED THE ENGINE HATCH & LARGE FLAMES SHOT UP. EFFORT TO EXTINGUISH THE BLAZE WITH ON BOAT FIRE EXTINGUISHER FAILED. FLAMES SPREAD QUICKLY SO HUSBAND & WIFE ABANDONED THE BOAT(JUMPED INTO THE WATER) THE BOAT CONTINUED TO DRIFT IN THE CHANNEL TOWARD THE LAKE. BOAT BURNED DOWN TO THE WATER LINE & SUNK. A CRANE WAS HIRED AND RECOVERED THE BOAT.THE BURNT BOAT WAS TURNED OVER TO THE OWNER. WIFE SUFFERED MINOR BURNS FROM THE FIRE.
TOWN OF PIPE                  