Body in burnt-out boat

THE remains of a body have been found in a burnt-out narrowboat moored on the Oxford Canal at Wolvercote.

The police investigating the fire believe it was started several hours before the alarm was raised, and the narrowboat was well alight by the time the emergency services arrived at the scene, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Prevented investigation

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Bird told that the severity of the fire had prevented immediate investigation, so it was not until the blaze was under control that the emergency people could get inside the remains of the boat, upon which they found the remains of a body.

The police have asked that anyone, particularly boaters who could have seen what occurred, to come forward to help with the enquiries.

This is yet another narrowboat fire of the many we have reported this year alone, often warning of the dangers, but the most tragic.