RedactedNarrative: On August 28, 2018 at approximately 0712 hours, I, Ranger, received a call from Georgia State Patrol Communications in reference to a boat fire on Lake Lanier. The communications officer advised the boat was near Tidwell Boat Ramp and the operator was safe. 
  
  I responded to Tidwell Boat Ramp and met with the operator/owner. Operator explained to me he had launched from Habersham Marina and was out to photograph the sunrise. The boat was filled with gas (26 gallons) prior to his departure. He stated he had been having issues with the vessel starting. 
  
  Operator drove to Tidwell Boat Ramp to turn off the vessel to see if it would start back. The vessel started on this attempt. He said he decided to push away from the courtesy dock and try again a little bit further away from the shore. 
  
  On his second attempt to start the boat, he turned the key over and an explosion erupted from underneath the center console. The explosion knocked a part of the boat into his right leg causing a laceration. Furthermore, the explosion and flames caused minor burns to his left leg. 
  
  A smaller explosion followed near the rear of the boat and it subsequently erupted into flames. A nearby fisherman attempted to suppress the flames with his fire extinguisher to no avail. 
  
  Operator abandoned his vessel and jumped into the water. He made it safely to shore. 
  
  Forsyth County Fire Department and Tow Boat US extinguished the fire. The vessel was towed back to Habersham Marina by Tow Boat US. The vessel was a total loss.
  