OPERATOR STATED HE HAD JUST FILLED THE VESSEL WITH FUEL AND AS HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VESSEL HE HEARD A LOUD POP FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FLAMES AND SMOKE WAS VISIBLE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ALL THE OCCUPANTS EVACUATED THE VESSEL. THE VESSEL THEN BECAME FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND FIRE AND RESCUE HAD TO PUT OUT THE FIRE.  INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE BOAT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A BACK FIRE FLAME ARRESTOR AND THE FIRE STARTED AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINES OVER THE DISTRIBUTOR AREA. POSSIBLY DUE TO LACK OF USE OF BLOWER OR FAILURE OF FLAME ARRESTOR.
NORTHPORT                     