Couple burnt in boat explosion

A BOAT on the Thames exploded yesterday (Monday) afternoon, resulting in an elderly couple being rushed to hospital with burns.

It was at Purley Marina in the afternoon that gas cylinders kept on the boat exploded, with flames leaping into the air and spreading to two other craft moored alongside in the tightly packed marina, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Spread to other boats

Four ambulances and several fire appliances arrived on the scene, with one crew on the fire rescue boat, with water pumped on both the burning boat and the ones alongside to attempt to control the blaze.

A man on the boat managed to get clear but the woman jumped into the water in an attempt to get away from the fire, and had to be rescued.

The woman was shouting for someone to rescue her dogs, but one died. The couple had burns to their arms and upper bodies, and were taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital by ambulance.