FIRE crews from Devizes and Calne battled a boat blaze on the Kennet & Avon canal during the early hours of yesterday.

They were called to the canal near Bath Road and arrived to find large flames shooting from the boat.

A spokesman for Calne fire station said: "On arrival the barge was well alight, the fire was extinguished using two main jets being supplied from a portable pump using water from the canal, a hose reel jet."

Crew wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze.

A spokesman for Devizes fire station asked for barge users to follow safety advice. A spokesman said: "This has been our third incident this week involving accidents with barges. If you own or live on a boat then look at the Boat Fire Safety link for some important safety advice.

"We also carry out boat safe and well checks free of charge, where we can pass on advice and supply smoke and carbon monoxide alarms too."

Go to www.dwfire.org.uk/safety/boat-safety/