Increase in boat fires

OVER the past few weeks there have been five boat fires reported over the system, that needed the fire services.

There were the two on the Lee & Stort Navigation that were reported in narrowboatworld, but in addition there was one at Diglis Basin on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, one at Saxilby on the Fossdyke Canal and one at Osney Bridge on the Thames.

Stoves

One fire service spokesman told of stoves being the culprits, used now the cold weather is here, that had not been kept in proper order or being used with doors open and too near combustible material.

Boaters suffered burns and from smoke inhalation, with a dog dying in one fire.

The Boat Safety Scheme publish various leaflets on fire safety, that should be perused by boaters with stoves, to make sure they are not the next statistic.