Man gets probation in cruise boat fire

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The man responsible for the Christmas Day fire that destroyed a double-decker cruise boat on Lady Bird Lake will serve 10 years' probation under a plea agreement with prosecutors

Sterno cans and phone call records led investigators to Matthew Ryan Sawyer, who told them he broke into a smaller cruise boat and slept there for a couple of days before he accidentally started the fire on the larger boat.

During cleanup of the damages, the owner of Capital Cruises found crucial evidence, which he gave to investigators. He identified items on the small boat that he usually stored on the larger boat, including "Sterno-type" cans, alcohol bottles, a soda can, lighters, plus personal items he did not recognize: a pair of jeans and a blanket.

Also destroyed in the flames was the nearby wooden dock, boating equipment, tables, chairs, food serving equipment, aside from a total of three boats. Damages were estimated at more than $200,000.