VESSEL OWNER STATES THAT HE FILLED BOTH GAS TANKS ON VESSEL. HE STATED THAT HE OPENED THE HATCH, SMELLED AND LOOKED FOR GAS, AND DIDN'T NOTICE ANY IN THE BILGE OR THE ODOR OF ANY. HE STATED THAT HE TURNED THE KEY TO START THE VESSEL IT EXPLODED. ACCORDING TO THE HALL COUNTY FIRE DEPT. THE FIRE WAS STARTED DUE TO THE GAS TANK HAVING A LEAK IN THE TOP OF IT. WHEN HE FILLED THE TANK IT LEAKED OUT THE TOP CAUSING GAS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE BILGE.
BUFORD                        