LIVINGSTON COUNTY, N.Y. -- Three boaters on Conesus Lake have some good Samaritans to thank for helping them escape a boat fire. Livingston County Sheriff's Deputies found the pontoon boat fully engulfed in flames around 2 p.m. Sunday.

Several witnesses helped the boat owner, Paul Battaglia, 60, of Batavia and his two passengers get off safely. The boat appears to be a total loss.

Sheriff's Deputies say removing the vessel took a significant amount of time because of heavy damage. No word yet what caused the fire.