More than 40 firefighters tackled a blaze that broke out in the kitchen of a house boat last night.

Ten fire appliances - including a water unit - were called to the blaze at the Port of Werburgh residential marina at Vicarage Lane in Hoo St. Werburgh.

It had started in the kitchen of the 90ft boat, called the Last Mariner. No one was on board at the time of the fire.

The owner, a man in his 50s, was comforted by members of Medway Coastguard. He is believed to have stayed with a friend overnight.

The whole of the upper deck of the Last Mariner was destroyed by the fire and a neighbouring vessel, which had gas cylinders on board, suffered minor damage.

Crews from Strood, Hoo, Medway, Cliffe, Halling and Swanscombe, as well as a water unit from Ashford and inland boats from Sheppey and Larkfield, were called at about 8.15pm.

Kent Fire and Rescue vehicles from Thames-side were also at the scene.

Strood watch manager Martin Simmonds, who attended the incident, said: "As our fire engines access to the boat was difficult, our initial concern was getting water to it so that we could fight the fire and stop it spreading to neighbouring vessels.

"Fortunately, the tide was coming in so we had an immediate supply of water. We ran hoses from our fire engines along the pontoon, pumping water from the River Medway, so that we could tackle the fire and protect boats nearby."

The fire was surrounded by 10.45pm and just before 3am, the incident was reduced to two engines, when firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze.

Mr Simmonds added: "This was a really unusual and difficult job, but thanks to some aggressive fire fighting and the sheer determination of the fire crews, we managed to prevent the blaze from spreading."

One fire engine remained at the scene on Wednesday damping down hotspots.

Fire investigators are working with Kent Police to determine the cause of the fire.