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Video of multiple boats ablaze at Hampstead Marina in Yalding

By: Cara Simmonds csimmonds@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 14:36, 25 July 2022

Updated: 16:31, 25 July 2022

Video footage has revealed the shocking scene of several boats on fire at a marina.

The River Medway was closed at noon yesterday after one boat caught alight and drifted towards others at Hampstead Marina, Yalding.

The film captures a boat drifting in the marina, whilst onlookers shout as banging noises are heard.

It then leads to several other boats catching alight and thick black smoke can be seen pouring out.

Three fire engines and a bulk water carrier were called to the scene.

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Two people were treated by paramedics and taken to hospital. One suffered burns while the other was treated for smoke inhalation.

A nearby resident, who witnessed the events unfold said there was lots of billowing black, heavy, thick smoke and panicked people.

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Multiple boats were on fire at Yalding marina. Picture: Jenny Barrow
Thick, black smoke billowed from the drifting boat

She said: "We heard an explosion, went into our bedroom and saw the boat on fire in the lock just floating.

"I called 999 immediately and at this point the boat had started to drift away from the lock downstream.

"I told the fire brigade it was about to set fire to another boat, but it missed and ended up coming towards our house, which was horrifically scary.

"My partner and I ran outside and hosed down our house and the surrounding area, to try to stop a bushfire from happening."

She explained how residents came together to save the community, adding: "The team spirit was phenomenal.

The aftermath of the fire in Yalding

"Everyone concentrated on stopping any more bush fires - we were throwing buckets of water and soaking the land down the pathway by the river.

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"One man who owned one of the boats that was moored up managed to save it by moving it out of the way. But all the other boats who had no owner at the time caught fire - it was like a domino effect.

"There were several explosions, up into the 20's - the first boat exploded several times, it was quite terrifying.

"A couple of boats have now sunk, and there are half-torched boats just left there, it's really, really sad."

The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.

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