V1 WAS MOORED BEHIND THE RESIDENCE. OPERATOR OF V1 RAISED THE ENGINE COVERS TO ALLOW VENTILATION OF THE COMPARTMENTS BEFORE TAKING OFF ON HIS TRIP. HE DID NOT INITIATE THE BLOWER SYSTEM BECAUSE HE WAS NOT PREPARING TO START THE ENGINES YET. WHILE WASHING THE INTERIOR OF THE COCKPIT HE NOTICED A FLAME RISING FROM THE BILGE AREA IN THE STERN AND ATTEMPTED TO SPRAY THE WATER HOSE ON THE FIRE BUT THE FIRE GOT OUT OF HAND CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO THE BOAT.
PANAMA CITY                   