Fire crews battle motor boat blaze

The call came in on September 23, at 10.35am and fire engines from Selsey, Bognor and Littlehampton were sent to the scene at one of the pontoons on the northern side. Crews tackled the flames using two fire extinguishers.

The fire had started in the wheelhouse in the front of the boat. No-one was on board or injured during the fire.

Marina manager Graham Bristowe said: 'The fire was reported by the boat owner, who was driving along the northern side and they raised the alarm with us.

'We called the fire brigade, directed them down here and tried to find out whether there was any gas on board.

'We liaised with the fire brigade and the main thing was to move other boats away from the fire. The guys down here are used to doing it, it's well-known practice for them.'

Sean Hunter, who was working on a boat nearby said: 'I just saw smoke coming from the front of the boat. The fire brigade got down here pretty quickly.'

The cause of the fire is unknown but West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service believe it to be accidental.