Subjects were fishing on boat not far from shore on Lake Tyler East.  The automatic bilge pump turned on and the operator described an audible "pop" and "woosh" sound.  Both operator and passenger saw flames come up through the vent hole on the floor of the boat right after the sound was heard.  Operator attempted to put out the fire with fire extinguisher on board and was unsuccessful.  Operator beached the boat and both subjects got out of the boat and called 911.  The boat drifted from shore and stayed in the middle of the cove where it burned for approximately 2 hours before a fire department boat could arrive and put the fire out.
WHITEHOUSE