RedactedNarrative: On June 24, 2018, at 1631 hours, I, Game Warden, with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (GA DNR CIRT) was contacted by Game Warden in reference to a possible boating incident on Jackson Lake at Barry’s boat ramp involving a boat fire.  
  
  Next, I spoke with witness1.  Witness1 explained that on June 23, 2018 the fuel pump on the boat went out due to bad gas.  Witness1 said Victim replaced the fuel pump the morning of June 24, 2018.  Witness1 said Victim was “getting the boat ready” because he (Witness1) purchased the boat a month ago from Victim.  Witness1 said they purchased 27 gallons of gas on the way to the lake that day.  Witness1 explained that when they arrived at the boat ramp Victim turned on the blowers, started the vessel and let it run for 15 seconds.  K.  Witness1 said he backed the boat down the ramp into the water.  Witness1 said Victim started the boat and then Victim’s wife asked him to check the engine compartment for water leaks.  Witness1 said he went to the bow to finish launching the boat when Victim went to open the engine compartment.  Witness1 said he was grabbing the eye hook when the engine compartment exploded.
  
  Next, I walked to the boat ramp and observed a vessel with registration number SC 2074 CB partially submerged.  The entire seating area and engine compartment appeared to be destroyed by fire. (See photographs.)  Next, Newton County fire department called a wrecker (K-2) to remove the vessel from the boat ramp.  
  
  Next, I proceeded to Piedmont Hospital in Covington to speak with Victim’s wife.  Wife said the boat had not been in the water for seven years, however, they replaced the motor about a year ago.  Wife said the fuel pump was replaced on June 24, 2018.  Wife said the boat “ran” fine with the new pump at home.  Wife said she smelled gas and the boat engine was running.  She said it was within seconds from the time the engine compartment was opened to the explosion.  Wife said two people were buying the boat.  Wife also included that Victim was a mechanic and had over 100 hours of boating experience.  
  
  Next, I spoke with Witness2.  Witness2 said her husband and Victim replaced the fuel pump and the boat was running well.  Witness2 said she was talking to subject when Wife walked to the boat and she saw Witness1 in the water using the winch to launch the boat.  Witness2 said she turned her head to continue talking when she heard the explosion.  Witness2 said she saw Wife on the dock but did not see Witness1 until she realized he was rescuing Victim.  Witness2 said she immediately called 911.  
  
  Next, I observed the body of Victim.  The right knee cap area contained an abrasion and singed hair was present on the face.  No other visual signs of trauma were observed.
  
  On June 25, 2018, I proceeded to K-2 towing in Covington to process the vessel with Sgt..  Upon arrival I photographed the vessel.  The engine compartment at the stern on the starboard side contained a strong gas odor.  I removed the alternator from the engine to determine if it was designed to be utilized on a vessel.  
  
  On June 26, 2018, I was contacted by subject who said he had video footage of the incident.  I proceeded to Berry’s Boat Ramp to receive the files.  (See video)
  
  