Operator boarded and started the vessel.  The vessel died so he raised the warm-up lever and tried to start it again.  The engine backfired and died; immediately after dying, flames shot out the front of the cowling.  The operator jumped into the water and the passenger ran off of the front vessel.  The fire continued burning, so they pushed the vessel out of the covered dock and into the river.  The vessel exploded shortly after it cleared the dock.   The vessel burned close to the water line and was a total loss.  The passenger was not injured; the operator received minor burns on his left leg and minor cuts on his head from hitting a piling when jumping from the vessel.  No other damages or injuries are known at this time.
Brazoria                      