RedactedNarrative: Prelude:  operator1 was operating his motorboat on lake james when his motor quit running.  He then attempted to start it again and the boat caught on fire.  He was able to get the fire out and then had his boat towed to the corner landing.    
  
  Details of investigation/incident:  on 07-09-15 i received a call from steuben county dispatch advising me of a boat fire.  Dispatch advised the boat was being towed to the corner landing and i was to meet the subject there.
   
  When i arrived at the corner landing i spoke with operator1.  Operator1 stated he was the owner of the boat and was also the operator of the boat.  Operator1 stated they were on lake james fishing and he started the boat up to switch fishing locations.  He advised he was operating the boat around lone tree point and the motor quit.  Operator1 stated he tried to restart the boat and it was making a whining noise.  He then noticed smoke coming from the area of the engine and when he opened the engine compartment flames came out.  He then used an empty cooler to get water and put the fire out.  He stated he had a fire extinguisher and tried to use it but could not get it to work.  He tried it at the corner landing and it did work.  Operator1 stated that it was just him and his wife on the boat and neither of them were injured.  The boat was a white 2003 20 ft. Glastron xs205 inboard/outboard motorboat.
   
  Operator1 stated he had turned the exhaust fan on before he started the engine.  The two large hoses coming off of the engine were melted.  I took photographs of the boat and the engine.  There was no involvement of alcohol and/or drugs.  Personal flotation devices were on board but not being worn.  Operator1 and wife stated they were insured by farm bureau insurance.  The approximate damage estimated to this vessel is $4000.00.
   
   