Deptford Creek boat fire: Arts venue destroyed after 'massive explosion' sparks blaze on board boat

An explosion sparked a huge fire which destroyed a floating arts venue in Greenwich.

More than 80 firefighters were called to Cavatina Point at Deptford Creek after neighbours heard a “massive bang” at just after 11pm last night as black smoke shot hundreds of feet into the air.

The Minesweeper, which has been converted into a print studio, gallery and events venue by a group of artists, was engulfed by flames which rapidly spread to two other boats.

Emergency crews used 12 fire engines and an aerial platform to douse the blaze as teams cleared gas cylinders from neighbouring vessels.

At least one person is believed to have been rescued but no injuries were reported following the fire, which was still raging at 2am.

Blaze: the scene of the fire in Deptford Creek
Twitter/@meganjohn830

Yasmin Ringer, 26, was walking home across Deptford Bridge when she saw the boat “engulfed in flames”.

Witnesses said that seconds later there was a “massive bang”.

Joanna Urban, 33, lives in the block of flats opposite the Minesweeper across the creek.

She told the Standard: "My flat overlooks the creek right opposite that big boat.

"I heard something collapsing at around 11.30pm and saw a giant fire.

"It was quite terrifying. I thought it was something closer to me than the boat because the fire was so huge.

"Lots of people came down out of their flats and stood around outside watching. It's a very quiet area so this was a surprise."

Billowing: Smoke at the scene of the fire
@meganjohn830

Ms Ringer said: “I was worried if something was going to explode and I was walking across the bridge. It was really, really loud. It must have hit some sort of petrol.

“Then the fire engines raced past me – I saw at least five, and a first responder ambulance. It was going for nearly two hours. I just hope someone’s not on that boat.”

Lorenza Frigerio, 31, who lives in an apartment building on the creek, said the smell of smoke was so strong she disabled the ventilation system in her flat for fear of breathing it in.

The scene of the fire in Deptford Creek
Twitter/@meganjohn830

She said: “I think they were mostly concerned about not letting the fire spread to the buildings.

“I was worried at the beginning. I thought, should I pack a bag?”

Twelve fire engines and 81 fire fighters and officers were called to the fire from stations in Deptford, Greenwich, New Cross, Lewisham, Bethnal Green, East Greenwich, Lee Green, Peckham and Old Kent Road.

Station Manager Norman Perry said at 2am: “Crews are working extremely hard to extinguish the fire and safely remove other cylinders on the neighbouring boats to prevent the fire spreading further.

“Crews are using an aerial platform and water jets to extinguish the fire and steady progress is being made.”

The former Navy boat, an inshore minesweeper built in 1956, was salvaged by a group of friends in 1998 who have since transformed it into a print studio, gallery and events venue.

It was struck by a fire in 2008 which destroyed the stern, and artists who use the boat have since been raising money to completely restore and renovate it.

Police were today working with experts from the fire brigade to establish the cause of the fire.

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