Sunken boat still not removed weeks after fire

The boat is now almost completely submerged

A canal boat which was gutted by fire seven weeks ago appears to be leaking oil.

The boat has been sinking into the Kennet and Avon Canal, close to Devizes Wharf in Wiltshire, since the blaze in November.

The Canal & River Trust said it had taken action after becoming concerned about pollution soon after the fire.

It said the boat’s owner was responsible for removing it from the waterway.

A fire gutted the boat in late November

A spokesperson said: “The local operations team rapidly responded and deployed absorbent booms to contain the oil. The booms are being monitored to ensure they remain effective.

“Once the boat is removed and after a final clean up there should be no long-term residual risk to the canal or water quality.”

There is still no confirmed date for the removal of the wreck.

A trust spokesperson said it needed “to allow the owner reasonable time” and added it would “be removed one way or another in due course”.

The cause of the fire has not been determined

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service has confirmed there were no casualties in the fire. The cause of the blaze has not yet been confirmed.

The trust said the cause could potentially be determined once the boat was removed from the water and an inspection was possible.

The Environment Agency confirmed it was aware of the fire and the wreck.

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