PA31 PLT HAD A FIRE IN THE OVERHEAD REAR CABIN IN ZMA CLASS E AIRSPACE.

Narrative

CLBING THROUGH 4000 FT; SMELLED SMOKE AND VISUALLY SAW FIRE IN AFT CABIN. FIRE WAS COMING OUT OF THE CEILING ABOVE THE EMER EXIT SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN AN EMER DSCNT INTO OPA LOCKA; FL; DECLARED AN EMER WITH ZMA. I THEN SHUT OFF ALL ELECTRICAL. FIRE THEN SPREAD TO THE SEAT BELOW AS BURNT ROOFING FELL INTO THE SEAT BELOW. AFTER A SAFE LNDG; I EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BY HAND; THEN EVACED THE ACFT. THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED AND ENSURED THE FIRE WAS OUT. I THEN INFORMED MY COMPANY AND ZMA OF WHAT HAPPENED AND OF THE OUTCOME. THANKFULLY; THERE WERE NO PAX ABOARD; JUST ONE CREW. THE FAA WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT AND AT THE TIME OF WRITING THIS RPT; WE ARE AWAITING THEIR INSPECTION AND APPROVAL TO FERRY THE ACFT BACK TO ITS HOME BASE. CALLBACK CONVERSATION WITH RPTR REVEALED THE FOLLOWING INFO: THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN AFTER MARKET PAX ENTERTAINMENT SYS. THE ENTERTAINMENT SYS CABIN SPEAKER CAUGHT FIRE AND IGNITED THE CABIN INTERIOR HEADLINER. THE COMPANY HAS REMOVED ALL THE ENTERTAINMENT SYS ON ALL ACFT THAT ARE FLOWN. THE ACFT SKIN WAS NOT DAMAGED; ONLY THE HEADLINER AND SEAT COVER. THE PLT PUT THE FIRE OUT BY BEATING ON IT. IT WAS OUT WHEN CFR ARRIVED.