I was on patrol near Sunset Marina on 05-27-2011.  At 1:00PM I followed an ambulance into Sunset Marina on the 18th Ave. side.  I observed several fire trucks and a boat on fire on the west side of the 18th Ave. boat ramp.  I observed the boat registration then make contact with the boat owner / operator.

Operator stated he launched his boat ( a 23 Ft.1988 Mach 1 ) and tied it to the dock.  Operator then parked his vehicle and trailer and returned to his boat.  Operator stated he started his boat once and it died.  Operator stated he started his boat a second time and it stayed running.  Operator stated he observed his bilge pump working pumping out a " muddy" substance.  Operator stated he then went to the stern of the boat and opened the engine hatch and was looking for any problems in the engine area as he routinely does.  Operator stated he turned to walk to the front of the boat and heard an explosion.  Operator stated the next thing he remembered, he was in the water about five feet from the boat.  Operator swam to shore and maintained a safe distance from the boat that was now on fire. 

The Rock Island Fire Dept. put the boat fire out.  EMS personal interviewed Operator about any injuries he may have received.  Operator declined medical treatment on scene.  Operator had singed eye brows and hair but appeared uninjured.  Operator did multiple interviews with media persons on scene.  I and Operator were able to float his boat back onto it''s trailer and remove it from the water.  While the boat was draining out I took a written statement from Operator on this event.  I informed Operator I was taking possession of his boat for a routine boat accident investigation.  Operator was released from the scene.

Captain arrived on scene and assisted. We interviewed and took statments from persons who observed the event.

After the water drained out of the boat we observed a dark colored substance coming out of the drain hole and a sheen on the water.  It smelled like gasoline.  We put the drain plug back in the hole at that point.  only a small amount of fuel went into the water.

The boat was transported to the Dist. 1 evidence facility and secured as evidence ( tag # 21901).  An in depth. investigation is scheduled for Tuesday May 31st. @ 9:00 AM.  to determine the cause of the explosion and fire.

Rock Island                   