Norfolk Fire Service defend its actions on Broads boat fire

Two of the vessels sank while crews were tackling the fire on the River Chet, with one still to be removed from the waterway.

Boatyards in the area have complained that the wreck is affecting trade by blocking part of the river and have been angry at the fire service, which initially said it had sunk the vessels deliberately.

However, senior fire officials now say this is not the case and that the boats simply sank as a result of their efforts.

One of the vessels that was damaged in the fire (Image: Phoebe Ozanne, Newsquest) A spokeswoman for Norfolk Fire and Rescue services said: “No boats were deliberately sunk.

"In the process of fighting the fire, the damage to the boat resulted in it partially sinking.

"Crews had worked hard to secure the boat to prevent it drifting while still on fire and affecting anything else on the river.

“Our crews worked tirelessly for hours to tackle this fire and save a number of other boats. The damage was limited to the three boats that were on fire when they arrived.”

The fire broke out between Pyes Mill picnic area and Loddon marina.

Fiona Husband, director of nearby Pacific Cruisers, had said she was “disappointed” with how the fire had been managed.

She said she felt “the fire services thoughtlessly sunk [the boat] and then left”.

She said she was concerned about the remaining boat in the river as it is "obstructing navigation”.

“It is causing an extreme inconvenience and dangerous hazard for all boats," she said.

“Due to the location of the wreck, boat services at Pacific Cruisers have been very much limited,” she added, with moorings at the property being “difficult”.