AFTER OEPERATOR SPENT THE NIGHT ANCHORED WITH HIS VESSEL IN THE CREEK, THE OWNER/OPERATOR OF VESSEL EXITED VESSEL TO GO FOR A MORNING HIKE ALONG THE SHORELINE.  AS OPERaTOR/OWNER WAS RETURNING FROM HIS HIKE HE OBSERVED FLAMES AND SMOKE COMING FROM HIS VESSEL. HE RAN TO THE VESSEL TO ATTEMPT TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT HOWEVER WAS UNABLE TO GET TO HIS FIRE EXTINGHISHER INSIDE THE CUDDY DUE TO THE HEAT AND FLAMES OF THE FIRE. OPERATOR THEN CALLED 911 AND REPORTED THE HAPPENINGS. THERE WAS NO FUEL ONBOARD AS THE SAILBOAT HAD ONLY AN AUXILLARY TROLLING MOTOR TO HELP POWER. THERE WAS A COOKING STOVE (PRPOPANE) AND AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE VESSEL POWERED BY TWO DEEP CYCLE MARINE BATTERIES. THE FIRE HAD BURNED THE AREA AROUND THE COOKING STOVE SOMEWHAT MORE SEVERE THAN THE REST OF THE VESSEL. THE OWNER STATED HE HAD USED THe STOVE ON THE PREVIOUS NIGHT TO COOK SUPPER BUT HAD NOT HAD IT ON FOR SEVERAL HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE.
MONTICELLO                    