Last Updated on June 2, 2025
Nine individuals, including a baby, were hospitalized after a residential boat fire erupted on the River Thames near Lechlade, Gloucestershire, on Saturday. Emergency services, including multiple air ambulances and fire units, swiftly responded to the scene. Bystanders played a crucial role in rescuing those onboard the burning vessel.
Dramatic Boat Fire Hospitalizes Nine on River Thames
A residential boat fire on the River Thames, near the Gloucestershire town of Lechlade, resulted in the hospitalization of nine people, including a baby, on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The incident, which occurred around midday, saw thick black smoke billowing from the vessel, prompting a significant emergency response and heroic actions from bystanders.
Emergency Response and Casualties
The emergency services mounted a large-scale operation to address the blaze and assist those affected:
- Hospitalizations: Nine people were taken to the hospital. A child was airlifted to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, and another individual was flown to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Others were transported by ambulance.
- Discharges: At least two individuals have since been discharged from the hospital.
- Emergency Assets Deployed:
- Two air ambulances (Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance)
- Six ambulances
- Three Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) units
- Two rapid response vehicles
- Fire engines and police units from Gloucestershire Constabulary, Thames Valley Police, Wiltshire Police, and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Police.
Bystander Intervention and Ongoing Investigation
Eyewitnesses reported that members of the public bravely intervened to rescue people from the burning boat and the water. Their quick thinking was instrumental in preventing further casualties.
Wiltshire Police confirmed that a section of the river was closed following the incident. Inquiries into the cause of the fire are ongoing. The exact conditions of those hospitalized have not been fully disclosed, though the swift response of emergency services and the public undoubtedly mitigated the severity of the situation.
Sources
- Nine people taken to hospital after residential boat fire in Wiltshire | Wiltshire, The Guardian.
- Nine people including baby in hospital after boat ‘explodes, Yahoo News UK.
