RedactedNarrative: On June 28, 2020, I, Corporal, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement, was dispatched to Jackson Lake by Sergeant in reference to a boat fire. I responded Berry's boat ramp and met with Newton County deputies who had responded to the call. I was advised the occupants had self transported to Newton Piedmont hospital in Covington with burn injuries. The vessel was at the boat ramp. 
  
  	I inspected the vessel and found the carpet was melted around the engine hood and smoke damage inside the hood. There did not appear to be any melted wiring or hoses which indicated the fire was brief and most likely an ignition of gasoline fumes. The breather and spark arrester on top of the carburetor was not attached and did not appear to have any hardware to attach it. Based on this, it is my conclusion fuel vapor escaped from the carburetor and was ignited by a spark.
  
  	I went to Newton Piedmont and interviewed the operator and occupants. owner/operator stated he had purchased the vessel two weeks prior and had used it 6 times since. He had not done any mechanical repairs to the vessel during that time. On the day of the incident, Operator said the vessel shut off after running a short time. He tried to restart the motor but flooded it. He turned on the vent fans and bilge pump and sat for several minutes before restarting it. Once the motor restarted, he put the vessel in gear and heard an explosion under the hood. Flames came from underneath the hood. The other occupants of the vessel jumped from the boat. Operator did so also after checking that everyone else was off the boat. 
  
  	Three people received first and second degree burns as they were seated closest to the engine compartment. Two others were uninjured while sitting in the bow area. 
  
  End of Report
  