I WAS returning to my boat moored on the Grand Union Canal near Leicester when I noticed a flickering light inside a GRP cruiser moored on a short arm, writes Alan Brightmore.
As I thought this of some interest I got out my camera, yet by the time I had fumbled in my bag for it and got it out, the boat was engulfed in flames as you can see in the photograph.
Destroyed
It took no time at all to 'go up' like it did, and was destroyed in minutes, so I made a hasty retreat expecting a gas explosion at any time and did not fancy being showered by flaming debris, but this did not happen.
There was a woman there phoning the emergency services, but I really could not see anyone being of any help in the circumstances. I spoke to the woman who told me the boat had been there quite a while, but she had never seen anyone in it during the day, so I guess no one was injured.
The next time I walked past all what remained was bits of debris floating in the water, but there was no sign of any oil or anything to contaminate.
But it just shows that if the GRP gets alight, nothing can stop it.