RedactedNarrative: I, RFC, along with RFC responded to a boat fire at Elrod's Ferry Ramp on Hartwell Lake.  Arriving at the scene we made contact with the owner of the boat.  Owner stated that he was the only person on board the boat at the time of the incident.  The boat was an twenty-two foot inboard.  He stated that his wife had backed him into the water and he had ran the blower for approximately five minutes before starting the engine.  He stated that the boat had been running rough so the fuel pump was changed prior to this launch.  
  
  Owner started the engine and had drifted approximately twenty yards from the ramp.  He stated that he put the boat in gear and heard a "pop".  He then lifted the cowling and the fire overwhelmed him.  He tried to extinguish it but it was too powerful.  He then jumped into the water and swam to shore.  The fire department was able to extinguish the flames but the boat was a total loss.  
  
  Owner was not able to grab his wallet, containing drivers license and other important information, or phone.  Both were destroyed in the fire.
  