A canal boat owner in Bradford-on-Avon has escaped with minor injuries after their boat caught fire.
Fire and rescue crews from Bradford-on-Avon, Trowbridge and Warminster attended the Kennet and Avon canal, between Spencer’s Orchard and Bailey’s Barn, at 7.25am on Sunday, December 4.
The area was cordoned off until 10.45am while the crews attacked the fire from both ends of the boat with extended hoses. This involved running a hose over a garden fence with permission from the house owner.
Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze using hose reels.
Fire crew manager Iolo Lavender said that this prevented the complete destruction of boat and saved it from sinking and blocking the canal.
He said: “We were very careful to keep the boat afloat to minimise the environmental impact and to maintain a working canal.”
The owner was taken to hospital with minor injuries. Their cat was also later found safely.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown but is now being investigated.
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