Two boats sink and others damaged in Teddington Lock fire

TWO narrowboats sank and two others were damaged after catching fire at Teddington Lock on the Thames.

Firefighters, police and RNLI were called to the blaze that engulfed two boats in the larger of the two locks at Teddington, that were destroyed, with a further two, believed to be cruisers, in the smaller lock catching fire and sinking, Roger Fox reports.

Loud explosion

London Fire Brigade were attempting to douse the flames of the two narrowboats, when there was a load explosion, believed to be a gas cylinder, but no one was injured as there was no one aboard the boats.

Four fire engines and 25 crew attended the fires that were doused within two and a half hours.

RNLI volunteer Jon Chapman told Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Play a useful part

"This is certainly one of the more unusual shouts I have experienced.  We were able to play a very useful part by being out on the water and locating the third fire, thus ensuring it was dealt with before it became a major risk to the boat and others around it."

The Environment Agency closed both locks so that they can remove the sunken boats.

Photograph courtesy of Teddington RNLI.