The sheriff's office received a call from the operator/owner of the watercraft stating that his boat engine was on fire. He gave his location and said that he had used his fire extinguisher but the engine was still smoldering and making crackling noises. A deputy responded to the location. The operator said that the engine fire was extinguished. The deputy had both the operator and the passenger get into the patrol boat and he towed the watercraft back to the boat launch. The operator told the deputy that he had been traveling at about 30 - 40 mph when the boat started to lose power. The operator observed smoke coming from the engine compartment. He immediately used the fire extinguisher on the engine compartment. The operator said he had just purchased the boat and this was the first time on the water with it. The engine fire appeared to be an electrical fire or failure of the engine, and not fuel related.
Red Wing