RedactedNarrative: On the evening of 9/7/20 at approximately 7:30 PM a 26'' Sea Ray caught fire, burning to the water line and sank on Lake Shelbyville.  There were no injuries to either Operator or his passenger on board that jumped off the watercraft and swam to shore. 
  
   Operator informed me he had just purchased the boat that day and wanted to test it on the water.  The watercraft had not been operated in approximately 10 years.  Operator said after fueling the boat he and his girlfriend drove over to the cove east of Eagle Creek boat launch and went swimming off the back of the boat.  
  
  After swimming Operator and Occupant boarded the boat.  Operator stated he turned the blower on just prior to turning the key to the engine.  Operator said the motor backfired followed by an explosion in the engine compartment.  Operator said the explosion blew the engine compartment cover off and flames were everywhere. 
  
   Operator said he grabbed Occupant and they jumped over the side of the boat and swam a short distance to shore.  They were later picked up by passersby in a pontoon boat and taken back to Findlay Marina.  father contacted Shelby county sheriff''s department following the accident.  Due to the total loss of the vessel I am unable to determine if any equipment malfuctions were a contributing factor to the explosion that occurred on the boat.  Clean-up of what remains of the vessel will be handled by Operator.
  