Boat on River Thames bursts into flames with nine injured and taken to hospital after major fire

NINE people were injured, reportedly including a baby, after a boat "exploded" and burst into flames on the River Thames.

Firefighters were spotted putting out a blaze on the residential boat on the banks of the river near Lechlade, Gloucestershire, shortly after midday yesterday.

Aftermath of a boat explosion on the Thames River in Lechlade, with emergency responders and onlookers present. — Nine people were taken to hospital after a residential boat caught fire on the River ThamesCredit: Wiltshire999s

Burning boat on the Thames River. — The boat burst into flames shortly before midday yesterday, police saidCredit: Wiltshire999s

While Wiltshire Police confirmed nine people had sustained injuries and were taken to hospital, Wiltshire 999s reported that a baby was among the injured and that the boat had "exploded".

Cops added that a section of the river was closed as a result of the fire, and that enquiries were ongoing.

The severity of the nine injuries is not yet known.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We responded to a reported fire on a residential boat in the River Thames near Lechlade just before midday on Saturday (May 31).