Man Escapes Boat Fire in Gulfport

One man walked away with minor injuries after his boat caught on fire in the Mississippi Sound off the coastline of Gulfport.
The man was fishing just south of the Port of Gulfport when he started to hear popping noises from the engine area of his 20 foot boat around 1:30 this afternoon.
When the fisherman opened the engine compartment, fire flashed out and burned parts of his face and hands. The man was able to jump ship and swim to shore while fire crews extinguished the flames.
Firefighters and AMR workers treated his injuries, but the man refused to ride to the hospital for further treatment.
The boat was completely destroyed. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.