The wreckage of a boat which reportedly exploded on the River Thames, injuring nine people including a child, has been pictured.
Emergency services, including two air ambulances, responded to reports of a residential boat ablaze in Lechlade at around midday on Saturday (31 May).
Wiltshire Police remain guarding the destroyed vessel after the significant incident, which saw nine ambulances and multiple fire crews in attendance.
Today (Sunday), two police vehicles and several officers were at the scene – guarding a field off the A417 Lechlade Road as investigations into the cause of the fire continue.
At the height of the response, Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance landed close to the raging boat blaze.
Six ambulances, three Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) ambulances and two ambulance rapid response vehicles were also there, as firefighters worked to being the flames under control.
Nine people sustained injuries in the incident, and were taken to hospital.
Wiltshire 999s understands that one of those hurt was a child, thought to be an infant, and they were airlifted to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children for urgent care.
Another person was airlifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for treatment, while others were taken to hospitals by land ambulance.
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police provided no detail on the ages or condition of the casualties, but said a probe into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
They said: “We responded to a reported fire on a residential boat in the River Thames near Lechlade just before midday on Saturday (31/05).
“Nine people sustained injuries and were transported to hospital.
“A section of the river was closed and enquiries into the cause of the fire are ongoing.”
