RedactedNarrative: On 6/19/2020 at approximately 6:36 pm I was alerted to a boat accident near the Hononegah Forrest Preserve in Rockton. The caller stated there was a watercraft floating down the rock river engulfed in flames.  Conservation Police responded along with Rockton Fire Department.   
  
    On 6/19/2020 at approximately 5:30 pm the operator of Vessel 1 along with two passengers launched a 17'' Barron fish and ski boat from the Rockton boat ramp onto the Rock River.  The operator stated they ran the watercraft for approximately 30 minutes when they decided to head back to the boat launch. 
  
  While approaching the boat launch the engine failed and the current began to carry the watercraft and 3 occupants down stream. The operator attempted to start the engine for approximately 5 minutes when he noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment.  
  
  Upon opening the compartment he observed a fist sized flame coming from the engine.  As the flames began to grow all three occupants were forced to vacate the vessel and swim to shore. All of the occupants made it to shore without injury.  The operator of Vessel 1 advised all three occupants were wearing PFD''s.  The watercraft continued to burn and float down river until it was caught between some trees near the shoreline of the Hononegah Forrest Preserve.  The fire was extinguished without incident and the vessel appeared to be completely destroyed.  The vessel was left in place and was removed on a later date.  The operator of Vessel 1 admitted to having little experience operating a watercraft and did not have a fire extinguisher on board.  A citation was issued to the operator for failing to have a fire extinguisher on board the motorboat.
  