Drama as boat catches fire
Kim BriscoeCoastguards had to search a submerged boat after it caught fire and sunk in Thorpe St Andrew in the early hours of this morning.Kim Briscoe
Coastguards had to search a submerged boat after it caught fire and sunk in Thorpe St Andrew in the early hours of this morning.
The boat, which sunk so quickly it could not be identified, caught fire shortly after 3.30am on the river near to Bungalow Lane and behind the Griffin pub.
Fire crews from Norwich and Sprowston were called out to extinguish the fire but were unable to save the cruiser from sinking.
Winterton Coastguard, Hemsby Inshore Rescue Service and the Broads Authority were called to scene.
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They searched the sunken vessel for possible casualties but found no one.
Police believe the boat was being used for storage.
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They have now launched an investigation and will be trying to track down the owner of the boat this morning.
Inspector John Tacey, of Norfolk Constabulary, said: 'We believe because of the position of the boat in relation to other boats around it that it was used for storage.
'But we can't discount that anyone was on board and that will be the focus of our investigation this morning.
'We will be trying to find the owner of the boat and find out if anyone was on board legitimately.
'We would appeal for any information or any witnesses who saw or heard anything leading up to the start of the fire or shortly afterwards.'
Norfolk Constabulary can be contacted on 0845 456 4567.
Have you spotted something newsworthy while out and about in Norwich? Contact Kim Briscoe on 01603 772419 or email kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk
