RedactedNarrative: CASE SUMMARY
      					    BOAT FIRE
  				           
  
  					     SYNOPSIS
  
  On Saturday, May 7, 2016, at approximately 1300 hrs, a vessel fire occurred at the boat ramp on little Lake Harris in the town of Astatula, Lake County Florida.  Involved was a 2000 year model, 17’ United Marine Corp Sea Sport center console vessel with three persons on board.  The vessel was launched at the Astatula boat ramp and secured to the floating dock. A short time later the operator attempted to start the vessel. The operator turned the ignition key to the “on” position and said that he heard a noise that sounded like sparking. Moments later an explosion erupted from the center console blowing the door off and throwing flames toward the occupants of the vessel. The three occupants on board received first and second degree burns as a result of the fire. The occupants were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center and Arnold Palmer Hospital for children. The explosion was a result of fuel vapor buildup within the center console.
  
  
  					INVESTIGATION
  
  INVESTIGATION CHRONOLOGY
  Saturday, May 7, 2016
  •	1311 hours-Call comes into the FWC Communications Center as a boat fire at the Astatula boat ramp with injuries.
  •	1311 hours-Lake County Fire Department squad XX and XXX is on scene at Astatula boat ramp. F.D. Case #XXXXXX
  •	1321 hours-FWC Officer1 and Officer2 are on scene at Astatula boat ramp securing scene and taking witness 	statements.
  •	1337 hours-Two victims are airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center and one victim airlifted to Arnold Palmer 	Children’s Hospital.
  •	1409 hours-FWC Investigator1 arrives at Astatula boat ramp.
  •	1506 hours-FWC Investigator2 arrives at Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital, Orlando and conducts interview with Relative1.
  •	1538 hours-FWC Lieutenant1 arrives at Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando and conducts interviews with 	Operator of the vessel, Operator1 and Passenger1.
  •	1605 hours-FWC Investigator2 conducts interview with the mother of the child who was victim to the vessel fire 	at Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital.
  •	1605 hours-FWC Investigator1 speaks with hospital staff and is notified that the three victim’s received first 	and second degree burns and would be released that same day from medical care.
  •	1649 hours- FWC Investigator3 is on scene at Astatula boat ramp.
  •	1655 hours-FWC Investigator2 concludes interviews at hospital and is en route to Astatula boat ramp.
  •	1739 hours-FWC Investigator2 is on scene at Astatula boat ramp.
  •	Next hours spent gathering statements, identifying witnesses, examining and photographing vessel.
  •	2207 hours-Vessel is transported by FWC Officer2 to the Eustis Fish Lab for temporary storage.
  • 	5/8/2016 at 1239 hours-Investigator2 releases vessel to registered owner Operator1.
  
  Vessel Description/Damage
  Vessel 1 (V-1) is a 2000 year model 17’ United Marine Corp Sea Sport, Center console displaying Florida registration #FLXXXXXX with a Hull Identification #UMAXXXXXXXXX. The hull material and center console of the vessel is fiberglass. The vessel is powered by a Honda 115 bearing serial #BZBD-XXXXXXX. The operator was identified as Operator1. 
  The vessel caught fire causing extensive fiberglass hull damage. During the boat fire the vessel sank.
  
  OPERATOR-INJURIES/PASSENGER INJURIES
  V-1 Operator1, received first and second degree burns on his right arm and right leg. Passenger2 and Passenger1 received first and second degree burns. Both Operator1 and his daughter Passenger2 were treated and released from Orlando Regional Medical Center the same day, May 7, 2016. Passenger1 remained at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
  