RedactedNarrative: Operator1 had launched the vessel tied it to the dock at the second creek boat ramp with two people onboard.  After he parked his vehicle, he got back in the vessel and reversed away from the dock out into the main channel of Second Creek, pointed toward the Tennessee River.  As he increased throttle, the fuel exploded and caught the vessel on fire.  
  
  Occupant1 used the fire extinguisher, but it was not sufficient to put out the fire.  Operator1 told them to abandon the vessel and grabbed a pfd and threw it into the water.  He told Occupant2 to jump in the water and grab the pfd because he knew he could not swim well.  Operator1 then towed Occupant2 back to the dock.  
  
  Occupant2 was the only one of the 3 who used a pfd.  Elgin VFD responded to the scene and the vessel was able to be recovered onto the trailer.  After getting information and statements from the people onboard the vessel, I left the scene to return a clipboard that was used by Occupant2.  I stopped to fuel up my patrol vehicle and was notified by a motorist that a boat was on fire at Hwy. 72.  Elgin VFD responded to the scene at County Road 575 and Hwy. 72.  While Operator1 was trailering the vessel home, it began to burn again.  He disconnected the trailer from his vehicle and the boat on the trailer rolled to the ditch at the intersection of CR 575 and Hwy. 72.  During this process, Operator1 injured his left hand / lower arm.  Elgin VFD was able to re-extinguish the vessel.  The vessel was then reconnected to Operator1'' vehicle. Operator1 was checked by Shoals Ambulance Service.  He did not want to go to the hospital, so they wrapped his arm and advised him to see his primary care physician.  INvestigation indicated electrical and fuel system issues.