Marine 1 was dispatched to a reported boat fire at Priest Lake Marina. When I arrived, I found the boat, floating about 100 feet east of the fuel dock at Priest Lake Marina with 1 person on board. The fire was out and he was not injured. 

Operator1 stated that he put the fire out by unhooking the water supply to the engine. The boat was taken in tow without incident and towed to Kalispell Boat Launch where an inspection was completed. The boat was inspected before and after the tow and no damage was done. 

Upon inspection the vessel was shown to have been extensive damage from the explosion and fire. The Mercruiser engine had an automotive air cleaner rather than a spark arrester. One of the fuel lines was also loose. 

Operator1 stated that he was running the blower at the time of the accident. After further investigation it was determined that the vessel had 6 other occupants that were on board at the time of the fire. The occupants left the boat when the fire occurred by jumping overboard or getting on the dock. None were injured.

PRIEST LAKE
PRIEST LAKE                   