RedactedNarrative: On 06/13/21 at approximately 1:42PM, Grundy County Dispatch received a call of a boat fire on the Illinois River, near William G. Stratton Park in Grundy County, to which fire responded. I [CPO] was notified of the incident at approximately 1:54PM and proceeded to the area.  Upon my arrival, the boat was still engulfed in flames and a tug boat, later identified as "GOLD STAR TUG" was hosing down the vessel.  On scene fire command advised they were likely dealing with fuel burning, as it continued to burn after being doused significantly.
  
  I made contact with the owner/operator of the vessel.  The following is a summary of our conversation and is not verbatim.  Prior to the incident, OPERATOR launched from the Stratton boat ramp and idled upstream for approximately 7-8 minutes.  As he attempted to come up on plane, at approximately 2500 RPMs, he heard a loud boom from the rear of the boat.  The rear compartment hatches blew open and the two rear passengers were pushed forward.  OPERATOR noticed smoke, which turned black over time, then into open flames, coming from the engine compartment.  OPERATOR subdued the fire with his on-board fire extinguisher.  OPERATOR noted that he had the blowers on while they were idling and as he remembered turning them off upon noticing the fire.  The fire later re-ignited, at which time all 5 occupants were safely removed from the boat and relocated to a safe location, unharmed, by a friend in a second vessel.  The vessel was a total loss.  No one was injured in the incident.
  
  SGT and I, removed the vessel from the waterway and relocated it to our district office, for temporary storage.
  
  Cause of the fire was unable to be determined, due to all components being burned or melted.
  
  The vessel was a total loss.  Cost estimate of damage to the vessel was estimated by comparing sale prices of similar boats, via a Google search.
  
  NOTHING FURTHER TO REPORT.  CASE CLOSED.  EVIDENCE CLOSED.
  