On July 19, 2013, operator took two of his grandchildren fishing on Cherokee Lake.  After fishing for a couple of hours, Operator noticed his vessel would not come up on plane. Operator checked his fuel level, which was low, and realized the bulb on the fuel line was soft. Operator called his wife and she brought him five gallons of gasoline at approximately  6:00 pm.  Both grandchildren went home with wife, while Operator decided to stay and fish.  After fishing a couple of hours, Operator had problems starting the vessel finding the fuel bulb soft again.  Operator called his wife again, and she brought him ten gallons of gasoline at approximately 8:00 pm.  The vessel started and idled fine after adding the gasoline.  Operator fished until approximately 9:30 pm, then began to make his way back to Evergreen ramp where he had launched the vessel.  On the way to Evergreen, the vessel engine would idle for about ten minutes before Operator would have to stop and pump the fuel line bulb.  Operator continued this process several times.  On one occasion, Operator noticed the odor of burnt wiring.  Operator opened the compartment lid where the batteries are stored.  As Operator raised the lid, he heard a "whooshing" sound and was knocked backwards in the vessel.  When Operator turned around he saw flames coming from the battery compartment. Operator found the fire extiguisher, but the flames had already consumed the back of the vessel.  Operator grabbed a life jacket and departed from his vessel into the water. Operator was not injuried and began to yell for help. Good sam, who was fishing close by, heard Operator yelling for help.  Good sam took Operator back to his vehicle at Evergreen ramp.
BEAN STATION