On 05/07/10 i cpl. responded to a call regarding a vessel fire in progress on carters lake. I arrived at the scene, dam site boat ramp at approximately 2030 hours. Upon arriving at the scene i was advised by emergency response personnel that no one was injured and that the vessel was still on the water at the ramp. I inspected the vessel and saw that it was burned nearly to the waters edge. As rescue workers attemped to trailer the vessel another fire started due to a "hot spot" on the vessel igniting fuel that was in the water. The flames were extinguished and the vessel was later loaded and secured at the carters lake boat house. The owner informed me that he had just un-trailored the vessel and was idling to the dock to pick up his friend who was parking the truck. He stated that he heard a loud sound and thought that he saw a flame then realized that the vessel was on fire and he jumped out. Operator stated that he had a fire extinguisher but it was located near the engine and he could not get to it due to the fire. I asked Operator if the vessel had a bilge blower and he stated that it did but he had not used it. Operator also informed me that he had just bought the vessel and all the registration information had burned up in the fife along with his wallet. He infomred me that the vessel was a 1990 sea raider that it was 23' in length.
MURRAY                        