Passengers rescued after fire breaks out on Thames tour boat
Some 30 people were rescued after a blaze tore through an amphibious tourist boat opposite the Houses of Parliament in London today.
Flames ripped through the London Duck Tours vessel on a stretch of the River Thames close to Lambeth Bridge. Many of those on board leapt into the water as flames took hold and thick black smoke billowed from the burning boat.
Passengers were later hauled to safety by rescue workers and crews on passing tour barges. A woman and a child were taken to hospital with suspected smoke inhalation while further tourists were treated at the riverside.
A police source said the nature of the injuries “could have been a lot worse”. Some 28 tourists and two members of crew were on today’s stricken tour. London Fire Brigade said the beleaguered craft was 33 per cent damaged by the fire which broke out shortly before midday.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Police were called at approximately 11.55am to reports of a fire on a Duck Tours boat on the River Thames.”
“A number of people were reported to be in the water at the time. Several Metropolitan Police units attended including the Marine Policing Unit and the police helicopter.”
“A number of people were recovered from the water. All 28 passengers and two crew members have been accounted for.”
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it pulled 30 people from the water and had the blaze under control by 12.10pm.
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