Boater suffers burns in fire

A BOATER suffered burns when his narrowboat caught fire whilst moored at Wigan on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

Fire crews from both Wigan and Hindley were alerted to the fire that they discovered had started at the rear of the boat and spread to its living quarters, Dugald Campbell reports.

Taken to hospital

The boater, living alone, was taken to Wigan Infirmary with burns to his arms and head when he was rescued from the boat that had broken free and drifted into the canal.

A spokesman for the fire brigade told that it was a significant fire and dangerous as the boat had fuel stored on its deck, which was removed.  The fire people worked with Canal & River Trust to mitigate any environmental pollution from the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.