An appeal for help has been launched after a man lost everything when his barge caught fire.

Fire crews tackled the blaze in the Knight Road area of Strood from around 8pm last night.

A man was rescued from the boats and was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.

KentOnline visited the boat yard and one fire crew is still on the scene this morning.

Staff said the man is still in hospital.

The man's daughter-in-law posted on a Medway Facebook group appealing for help.

In the post she said: "I desperately need help, my father in laws barge set on fire completely last night and he had to be pulled out.

"It’s a complete blaze, he literally has nothing to his name as all his possessions and clothes and everything were obviously in the fire, he’s now homeless too.

"I was wondering if anyone is getting rid of any clothes anything it would be greatly appreciated, he is about a Large or XL.

"I know this is a massive ask."

At its height, 22 firefighters were at the scene.

Witnesses said at 9.40pm that the blaze seemed to be under control.

Fire crews remained at the scene at 3am last night, with the flames having been visible from across the River Medway.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

A Go Fund Me page has been set up to raise money for a deposit on a new place for the man to stay.

To donate go to - https://www.facebook.com/donate/275870046412937/275899723076636/