Passengers ‘jump for their lives’ as boat catches fire and explodes on the river Thames 

Passengers ‘jump for their lives’ as boat catches fire and explodes on the river Thames

  • Witnesses say the vessel ‘blew up’ on the river Thames in Twickenham, London
  • Flames billowed from the 20-foot river cruiser that was destroyed in the blaze
  • Eight people were rescued by a private boat before the fire brigade got there 
  • Three people with minor injuries were assessed and one was taken to hospital 

Dramatic footage shows a boat engulfed in flames after it ‘blew up’ along the river Thames.

Witnesses say passengers jumped overboard in the incident in Twickenham, south-west London.

Flames can be seen billowing from the 20-foot river cruiser, that was completely destroyed in the blaze, as it sits near to the river bank.

Eight people were rescued in the water by a private boat before the fire brigade got there.

London Ambulance Service assessed three people with minor injuries and one was taken to hospital.

Mr Roberts's video shows the boat after the 'suspected explosion'

Former X Factor contestant Rhydian Roberts, who came second place in series four, filmed the boat engulfed in flames in Twickenham and posted it to Twitter yesterday

Flames can be seen billowing from the boat after it 'blew up' along the River Thames. Pictures posted to Facebook show the 20-foot river cruiser on fire

Flames can be seen billowing from the boat after it ‘blew up’ along the River Thames. Pictures posted to Facebook show the 20-foot river cruiser on fire

Flames can be seen billowing from the vessel, that was completely destroyed in the blaze, as it sits near to the river bank

Flames can be seen billowing from the vessel, that was completely destroyed in the blaze, as it sits near to the river bank

The London Fire Brigade were called to the scene at 3.17pm yesterday and by 4.42pm the blaze was under control.

Former X Factor contestant Rhydian Roberts, who came second place in series four, filmed the incident and posted it to Twitter.

He commented: ‘Just watched a boat blow up on the Thames near Twickenham. Happened so fast.

‘Some minor injuries but all on board are now safe! I look this pic after a while. Unbelievable how quickly it went. Dramatic here.’

Smoke rises from the remains of the burnt-out boat. Eight people were rescued in the water by a private boat before the fire brigade got there

Smoke rises from the remains of the burnt-out boat. Eight people were rescued in the water by a private boat before the fire brigade got there

An RNLI lifeboat attended the scene. Metropolitan Police were called to assist London Fire Brigade at 3.15pm following reports of a fire and suspected explosion

An RNLI lifeboat attended the scene. Metropolitan Police were called to assist London Fire Brigade at 3.15pm

Alex Petty, who posted this photo to Facebook, commented: 'A little bit of extra drama on the river for the afternoon stroll today. I’m told everyone on board had jumped off, and a few people were being treated at the ferry. But I don’t think that boat will be making it out again!'

Alex Petty, who posted this photo to Facebook, commented: ‘A little bit of extra drama on the river for the afternoon stroll today. I’m told everyone on board had jumped off, and a few people were being treated at the ferry. But I don’t think that boat will be making it out again!’

Alex Petty commented: ‘A little bit of extra drama on the river for the afternoon stroll today. 

‘I’m told everyone on board had jumped off, and a few people were being treated at the ferry. But I don’t think that boat will be making it out again!’  

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: ‘We were called at 3.16pm on September 21 to Orleans Road, Twickenham, to reports of a fire on a boat on the River Thames.

‘We dispatched a number of resources to the scene including two incident response officers, an advanced paramedic and our hazardous area response team (HART).

‘We assessed three people with minor injuries and took one to hospital.’

Metropolitan Police were called to assist London Fire Brigade at 3.15pm.

London Ambulance Service assessed three people with minor injuries and took one to hospital

London Ambulance Service assessed three people with minor injuries and took one to hospital

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