RedactedNarrative: Vessel #1 was cruising in the ICW through the Gasparilla Sound near red marker #6 (directly west Three Sisters Island), when it suddenly stalled. Directly afterwards, smoke and flames suddenly began pouring out from the engine compartment. The occupant donned a life jacket and jumped in the water. As another boater was pulling up, the operator donned her life jacket and climbed on board the assisting vessel (bearing registration FL-6059-KG). The other occupant hung on as the boat pulled the two to safety. The fire self extinguished. The vessel was inspected by Boca Grande Fire Department-Marine 231, and later towed by Tow Boat US to the Gasparilla Marina, located in Charlotte County. The vessel was later inspected by Fire Marshalls office to determine cause and origin. See attached report to follow. There were no injuries reported. No citations issued. 
  
  I remained with the vessel until Detective arrived. 
  
  When he arrived, I brought him up to speed on the investigation and he began taking photos. He conducted an inspection of the engine compartment and immediately noticed the flame arrestor / air breather missing from the carburetor, located center of the engine. The engine is a 190 HP Volvo Penta I/O. Upon completing his preliminary inspection, he stated that the missing fire arrestor may have been the cause of the fire. He and I both concurred that, other than the flame arrestor missing, nothing else appeared suspicious. At this time he is leaning on ruling the fire as accidental.