When the first fire units arrived, the power boat was already engulfed in flames. They were able to extinguish the flames.
The 1986 Wellcraft twin-engine power boat had just been acquired by the owner.
Emergency crews reported that the owner had recently fueled the boat and started one engine. When he went to start the second, the boat ignited.
Firefighters ruled the fire as accidental and blamed fuel vapors, which ignited when the owner started the engines.
The Rocky Mount Fire District assisted the Gravois Fire Department. The scene was cleared by 11 p.m.