RedactedNarrative: On 8/20/17 at approximately 16:09 hours, we were dispatched by the dubois county dispatch center to the cove directly west of the dam in an area known as "party cove" on patoka lake in dubois county, in for the report of a houseboat fire.  Upon our arrival, at approximately 16:14 hours, the house boat was completely engulfed in flames.  We were flagged down by a boat, containing the houseboats owners, and were advised everyone was off the boat.  The houseboat was resting on the north shoreline and fire suppression crews from the celestine fire dept. And dubois fire dept. Were able to extinguish the fire.  The watercraft was a complete loss.  Once the fire was extinguished the debris was contained with a snake buoy system, used to contain fuel spills, placed by the hoosier hills marina and the army corps. Of engineers.  The indiana dept. Of environmental management was notified of the incident and the steps that were taken to contain the debris and potential spill.
  The owners advised they were the owners of the watercraft, a 1986 60ft sumerset houseboat registration# in 6321 dx.  Owner1 advised he was the only occupant at the time of the incident.  Owner1 advised had just pulled anchor and had travelled approximately 100 yards when he heard an explosion from the engine compartment.  Owner1 advised he observed flames in the rear of the boat and initially grab two fire extinguishers but realized the flames were too high to extinguish.  Owner1 advised he grabbed his dog and got onto a neighboring boat that had come to his aid.  Owner2 advised she witnessed the incident from another watercraft.  They advised the watercraft was worth approximately $70,000 and they had approximately $20,000 worth of personal items aboard.  They advised they had insurance through state farm.