Exclusive by Hayley Robinson

An elderly man has spoken about the moment he watched his life go up in smoke after a fire ripped through his house boat.

Eighty-year-old David Pickering walked away unscathed but with just the clothes on his back after his 32ft motor home moored at Swale Marina in Conyer Creek was destroyed on Saturday (May1).

Firefighters from Teynham, Faversham, Herne Bay, Canterbury and Sheppey battled to save the boat after a fire broke out in the boiler just after 8pm - but their efforts were in vain.

With no insurance to cover the cost of losing the boat and all his possessions on board, the old age pensioner has literally been left with nothing and is now homeless.

Mr Pickering, who is currently staying with a friend in Upchurch, said: "I lost absolutely everything.

"I even lost one of my slippers as I was getting off the boat.

"I just stood outside the clubhouse and watched. I couldn't believe it and it didn't really hit me until Monday. I can't even get in my car as the key was on the boat.

"I've lived on boats for about 10 years but I only bought this boat in October. It literally took every penny I had and unfortunately I didn't have insurance."

In a bid to save the boat Mr Pickering tried to tackle the fire himself but he was forced to abandon ship when he realised the fire was out of control. A member of the public dialled 999.

He said: "I had nine fire extinguishers on board and I used two of them but by the time I finished the second one the cloud of smoke was descending rapidly and I thought this is the time I need to run.

"Four to five men came running down the pontoon. I had diesel on the other end of the cockpit which they took off as well as cylinders of propane.

"A man who works there brought over a pair of trainers for me to wear.

"Another man who pulled in to the marina that day came over and introduced himself as Charles and offered me a bed for the night. He was superb. It's typical boating community spirit to have. If someone is in trouble everybody flocks to help it's a great feeling.

"I'm very grateful to everyone and I can't stop saying thank you."