RedactedNarrative: On 7/23/2017, I responded to a vessel fire on the Ohio River near Portsmouth in Scioto County.  We do not know the precise time the fire started but the 911 call was placed at 5:30 pm on the date listed above.  When I arrived the Portsmouth police and fire were on scene along with Scioto County Sheriff Marine Patrol.  The vessel was near the Ohio shoreline just down river from the ramp where it was launched.  I interviewed the owner and operator of the vessel. He stated that his vessel caught fire and burned completely.  He said that he used his blower and then started the vessel and backed if off the trailer and into the water with no problems.  He then turned the vessel off and put it into neutral, and he then waited a sec or two then restarted the engine.  At this point he heard a loud explosion and observed the engine cover being blown upward and out of the boat.  He then threw both kids, who were wearing PFD's into the water and then he jumped into the river.  All three adults and both children made it to shore safely.  No injuries were reported.  I did not conduct a vessel safety inspection because the vessel was completely burned.  I could only verify that the kids had PFD's on and that the KY registration was current until 2018.  I have included written statements and pictures of the vessel with this report.