OPERATOR WAS IDLING  ON THE RIVER WHEN THE OPERATOR FLICKED HIS CIGARETTE AND IT HIT THE SIDE WINDSHIELD THEN FELL AT HIS FEET. APPROX, 1-2 FEET FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN THE STERN OF THE VESSEL. THERE WAS A 1 GAL CAN OF GAS IN THE CABIN NEAR THE ELECTRICAL PANEL. THE CIGARETTE DID NOT TOUCH THE CAN OF GASS AND THERE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY GASS LEAKING OR SPILLED. OPERATOR BENT OVER TO PICK UP CIGARETTE AND A SMALL BALL OF FIRE ERUPTED WITH NO EXPLOSION, AND OPERATOR COULD NOT GET TO THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER BECAUSE IT WAS STORED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, PAST THE FIRE WHICH QUICKLY EXPANDED. OPERATOR YELLED  THAT THE VESSEL WAS ON FIRE AND PASSENGERS SHOULD JUMP INTO THE RIVER. OPERATOR STERRED VESSEL TOWARDS THE BANK AND JUMPED INTO THE RIVER TO SAVE HIMSELF. ALL THREE PERSONS ON BOARD SWAM TO THE RIVER. THE VESSEL DRIFTED BACK OUT IN THE RIVER WHILE BURNING AND THEN SANK.
WILDER                        