On july 16, 2013, clay county dispatch received a call of a boat fire on lake chatuge.  I heard the call and patrolled to the clay county rescue boat at gibson cove.  I went to the boat fire with the rescue squad.  The fire fighters put the boat fire out and took me over to the boat operator.
 
The operator said that he pulled into a cove to get out and swim.  He turned the boat off and was getting into the water.  He said the engine tried to start all by itself, then the fire started.  When the fire started, he got most of their belongings and got in the water with the other passengers.  Another boat saw what was happening and called 911.
 
No one was injured in the accident.  The boat was a total loss.
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There is no mention by the officer of this report as to what caused the fire other than fault of machinery.
HAYESVILLE