RedactedNarrative: THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION IN THE MOTOR COMPARTMENT OF THE VESSEL, CAUSING A FIRE AND SUBSEQUENT EXPLOSION. THE OPERATOR AND PASSENGERS LEFT THE VESSEL. THE VESSEL BURNED TO THE WATER LEVEL AND WAS A TOTAL LOSS. NO INJURIES.
  OPERATOR STATED HAD JUST REPLACED THE BATTERY AND FUELED THE VESSEL PRIOR TO LAUNCHING.  OPERATOR ALSO STATED HE DID NOT RUN THE BLOWER PRIOR TO TRYING TO START THE VESSEL.  HE GAVE THE VESSEL ABOUT 1/4 THROTTLE WITH THE DRIVE IN NEUTRAL, WHILE HE TRIED TO START IT.  OPERATOR STATED WITHIN A MATTER OF MINUTES, HE SAW FLAMES COMING UP FROM THE BACK BENCH SEAT.  IT IS UNKNOWN IF THERE WAS UNKNOWN EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION.