A NARROWBOAT owner’s dreams of a life on the water have gone up in smoke after fire ravaged his new home.
Caldon canal boat fire, Robert Cooper
Robert Cooper, who was planning to live permanently on the craft, lost many of his personal belongings and was too distraught to speak to Your Leek Paper following the incident on the Caldon Canal, in Denford.
Firefighters from Leek were called to the scene at 10.30am last Wednesday and found the boat well alight.
It is thought that the inferno started accidentally due to a faulty chimney flue.
A Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “There was smoke coming through the windows and someone witnessed it and dialled 999 straight away.” The spokesman added that, due to the location of the boat, the crew were slightly delayed in getting there and bringing the situation under control.
Though Mr Cooper felt unable to speak about the incident, it is believed he planned to move onto the boat in the near future.
Leek watch manager Rick Eyre said: “The wooden boat has suffered pretty extensive damage as a result of the fire, which we believe started because of a problem with its chimney flue.
“Although no-one was on board at the time, we are aware there were a lot of personal belongings on the boat when the fire started.” Following the fire, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service stepped up their campaign to prevent similar incidents by speaking to other boat owners in the area, also providing them with smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Mr Eyre said: “Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service would urge boat owners to make sure their chimneys are cleaned and maintained regularly.
“Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors should also be fitted to boats where chimney flues are in place.” The fire service spokesman added: “From our point of view, if anything is made out of wood, whether it’s a shed or a boat, you have to be aware of fire safety.”