Two people treated for burns after several boats catch fire in marina

Desperate neighbours threw buckets of water to try and put out the flames after the blaze began in Hampstead Marina at Yalding near Maidstone in Kent.

Multiple boats in the River Medway were on fire and smoke could be seen pouring from one vessel close to the lock. The river was closed to traffic.

Three fire engines and a bulk water carrier were called to the scene to help extinguish the blaze on Sunday (july 24) afternoon.

Two people were treated by paramedics and taken to hospital - one suffered burns while the other was treated for smoke inhalation, the fire brigade said.

Video footage showed the shocking scene as one boat was on fire as it drifted towards other vessels, setting them ablaze too in the marina.

The clip captured a boat drifting in the marina, while onlookers shouted for help as banging noises - thought to be explosions - could be heard.

It then led to several other boats catching light, and thick black smoke could be seen pouring from the top of the vessels.

Several neighbours, including an off-duty firefighter, rushed out with buckets of water to help dampen down the inferno before the fire crews arrived.

It took around two-and-half-hours to extinguish the flames and some of the stricken boats were so badly damaged they sank.

A nearby resident, who witnessed the events unfold, said there was lots of billowing black, heavy, thick smoke and panicked people.

She said: "We heard an explosion, went into our bedroom and saw the boat on fire in the lock just floating.

"I called 999 immediately and at this point the boat had started to drift away from the lock downstream.

"I told the fire brigade it was about to set fire to another boat, but it missed and ended up coming towards our house, which was horrifically scary.
Filmed on 24th July 2022