The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on June 29th at about 3:45pm the boat patrol responded to Cayuga Lake in the area of the Cayuga Lake State park for a boat fire with a possible explosion. Upon arrival – the Sheriff’s Boat patrol found that the fire was out and the boat had been towed to shore. Sheriff’s Marine patrol officers found that a 1990 19 foot Wellcraft operated by Eric Matthews age 27 of 2871 Garden St Seneca Falls , had been operating just east of the State Park when a gas line began to leak onto the hot engine , which caused the fire. Matthews was able to extinguish the fire with his on board fire extinguisher, and then was towed to shore. The boat sustained fire damage to the engine and stern . Matthews and his passengers: Katlyn Burgdorf age 26 , James Varricchio age 28 , and Sophia Catalano age 26 all of Seneca Falls were not injured in the incident. Seneca Falls Fire also responded and assisted in cleaning up the remaining leaking fuel. The Marine Patrol issued Matthews a ticket for not having any PFDs on board, and he is to appear in Seneca Falls Town Court at a later date. Sheriff Tim Luce reminds all boaters to inspect their boat before going out on the water , have a plan and tell someone where you are going ,and to make sure your safety equipment is on board and up to date. A personal flotation device is required for each person on board plus a throwable flotation device as well. We want everyone to enjoy a safe boating season here in the Finger Lakes !
CR 19SH06170