A pub landord has spoken how he was awoken by cries for help after a boat caught fire on the river.

Luke Gallacher looked outside to see the houseboat ablaze and the occupant fleeing to safety along the bank.

Mr Gallacher, 35, who runs The Boat House, in Strood, said: "I initially thought he was on board. I was half awake and thought somebody was having an argument and then I heard somebody shouting 'call the fire brigade' but I'd already done that."

Mr Gallacher said he knew the owner by his nickname "Moley" and he had lived there for about six years.

He said: "He was friendly, we had the usual chit-chat and sometimes he would ask for some water. But mainly he kept himself to himself."

Mr Gallacher, who has worked at the pub in Canal Road for 12 years, said the man, thought to be in his 50s, often lit a log burner to keep warm.

He said "He's got no electricity, it's very dangerous. I've been saying it was an accident waiting to happen for years. He has lost everything. He's lucky he did not burn to death.

"It's not safe. His boat is tied up to a rickety old jetty."

Paramedics treated the man for suspected smoke inhalation at the scene.

Fire crews, the ambulance service and coastguard were all called to the waterside at Bridge Wharf, Strood, just before 7.20am yesterday.

Five fire engines – from Strood, Rochester and Larkfield – parked up at the Boat House in Canal Road to deal with the incident on the water nearby.

A fire service spokesman said: "Five fire engines and the water safety unit were sent to the scene, and crews used hose reel jets to extinguish the flames.

"One casualty was passed into the care of SECAmb to be checked for suspected smoke inhalation. HM Medway Coastguard also attended.

"The cause is not yet known."

Fire crews left at 8.36am having dealt with the blaze using water jets.