A blaze on a boat in the centre of Maidstone at the start of the
town's River Festival is being investigated by police.

The small boat was moored in the town centre, opposite the
Travelodge hotel, when the fire broke out at about 9pm on Friday,
July 30.

About 12 firefighters attended, including a special water unit
with a boat from Larkfield and two crews from Maidstone.

They said they found the boat "well alight".

Festival-goers lined the riverbank and nearby bridges as
firefighters put out the blaze, which caused heavy damage to the
boat.

But no other boats had to be moved, as there was no risk of the
fire spreading.

One woman was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but did
not need to be taken to hospital.

The fire was out by 10.20pm. The cause of the blaze is not yet
known but police have launched an investigation.

Steve and Debbie Bell, from Bexleyheath, were moored opposite
the boat.

Mrs Bell said: "It was scary.

"They closed the road and stopped people walking past - the
police were brilliant. Before the fire brigade arrived they were
very good, they got fire extinguishers from some of the other boats
and tried to control it.

"When the fire brigade came they got it out, but it ignited
again. They had to turn the boat around and put it out again."

The River Festival unofficially began on Friday night, with many
boats already moored on the River Medway and pubs offering
entertainment.

The official opening is at 11am today. The festival plans, which
include the annual raft race at 2pm, have not been disrupted by the
fire.

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