RedactedNarrative: Synopsis:
  
  I responded to a report of a houseboat fire. Investigation was conducted, and a boat accident report was completed. The vessel was a total loss and there were no injuries. Report was filed. 
  
  Initial Contact:
  
  At approximately 1100 on Monday, August 2, 2021 in Bullfrog, UT, I (Ranger, Boating Area Supervisor at Lake Powell) was in my office when I heard emergency traffic from NPS Dispatch advising of a houseboat fully engulfed at the North Ramp. NPS Dispatch reported no injuries and people on the dock. After un-hitching the patrol vessel that we were cleaning, my seasonal employee and I responded to the scene. I activated my emergency equipment (lights and siren) on my patrol vehicle and responded to the scene. As I was responding I observed black smoke in the direction of the North Ramp. 
  
  NPS AIS staff and Backcountry Ranger responded. Upon my arrival on scene, the NPS Fire Boat was on scene and working on putting out the fire. Ranger had the NPS Fire Engine (Engine 51) on scene, and a water tender from NPS Maintenance had also been requested. The North Ramp had been closed only to emergency vehicles during this time. Ranger assumed the role of Incident Commander (IC) for this incident, and I coordinated directly with him when I arrived on scene. It was confirmed there were no injuries and that everyone was safe. 
  
  Initial Boat Observations:
  
  The houseboat on fire (later identified) was directly next to the North Ramp Dock. I walked as close to the boat as it was safe, and took some initial pictures. I observed black smoke and orange flames coming off the houseboat. The cabin had already burned down. I observed some personal belongings near the boat and at the end of the dock, including some coolers. Off to the side of the North Ramp, on a beach, there was a houseboat (later identified, a 56 ft. houseboat). No individuals were on-board and that vessel was not on fire. I spoke with Ranger and confirmed that unless they needed me for assistance with the fire or emergency operations, I would be transitioning to investigations. I advised NPS units on scene that I would be conducting the investigation and completing the boat accident report. I also requested NPS Dispatch advise the State of Utah Fire Marshal's Office as well. NPS Dispatch stated they would, through the Kane County Sheriff's Office. 
  
  Initial Contact - Witnesses:
  
  I arrived at the top of the ramp and spoke with Ranger would had been making contact with witnesses and getting witness statements. She stated that individuals up at the top of the ramp were the family from the houseboat. Ranger stated the family who were getting their vehicle and pulling their ski boat, and would be coming back to the scene. The family that was on witness vessel,  which was beached at the time, stated it was smoking, black smoke. The family advised it appeared the smoke was coming from the cabin, down low, and underneath the windows. They observed the individuals on board unloading/loading gear and saw them attempt to remove gas cans and propane tanks off the vessel when the fire started. 
  
  The family indicated the fire started very quick, and within 30 seconds, the flames were 4 - 6 ft. They started to take fire extinguishers to the boat, but backed off due to the size of the flames. The smoke and flames started on the right (starboard side) - (engines front) - but when looking at the boat with the engines in the back - it is the actual left side (port side). The family also stated they observed a wave runner (jet ski) attempt to spray the fire, but was unsuccessful. I was able to coordinate with NPS dispatch/Aramark Exec. Services and get the family a courtesy slip for their houseboat at the Bullfrog Marina for the evening.
  
  Narrative:
  I responded to the firehall to make several phone calls related to the fire investigation and when I arrived back to the North ramp, the family who was onboard  was back on scene. They were in contact with Ranger. She had advised dispatch, stating, reporting party (RP) reporting full tank of gas 25 on one side and 10 on the other. 14 gallon tank putting into the boat, he used a shaker and it caught on fire. He has a 14 gallon tank and a shaker with a ball. He thinks statice electricity or something like that . The amount of gasoline on board was relayed to NPS Fire Crew. Ranger had also gotten witness statements from all 4 individuals involved with the houseboat. 3 of those individuals were onboard, and 1 individual was at their truck un-loading gear. 
  
  I contacted the individual who had been doing the fueling at the time, and the part-owner of the houseboat. He was identified. I introduced myself and asked him to explain what happened. I observed his eyebrows and eyelashes to be burned and singed. He confirmed the houseboat was docked at the time of the fire, and was not underway. There was no operator, and that was indicated on the BARD report as "No Operator".
  
  Operator stated he was about to start the fueling process of the houseboat with the 14 gallon gas wheeled caddy, and he was using a shaker hose (like a syphon hose, with a ball that you shake to get it started). He shook the hose twice, and basically it combusted/was like a fireball, like an explosion. He stated the fire started very quick, with 4-6 ft. flames.
  
  Owner stated he was distracted and did not turn off the propane on the boat prior to fueling. The fridge & water heater on the boat both run off propane and thus had pilot lights (possible ignition source with vapors/fumes). He also later provided me with a diagram of the houseboat and confirmed the refigerator and water heater were on the same side of the houseboat he was fueling (port side).
  
  On Aug. 5, 2021, owner confirmed 3 fire extinguishers were used to attempt to put the fire out. He also stated the refrigerator vent was approx. 5-6 ft. behind him, from where he was fueling, and the boat was not equipped with a blower since the fuel tanks are in the pontoon and the engines are in the rear. NPS case # 21-3609.
  
  Conclusion
  The vessel was determined to be a total loss. Based on my investigation, interviews with individuals involved, witness statements, pictures and other evidence - the fueling of the vessel was the main significant factor in the cause and start of this fire. 
  There were several possible ignition sources for the houseboat fire, including static electricity and the pilot light (which was on, from the propane fridge), among other sources. The ignition of the fuel fumes/vapor by the pilot light (open flame) appears to be the most likely cause in this case, but a 100% determination would not be able to be made. There was an error made in leaving the propane tanks switched on during the fuel process.
  
  End of report