Three fire engines and two fire rescue units were called to a sinking houseboat at Bishop’s Hall in Kingston this morning.
One man and a woman disembarked before the Brigade arrived and no injuries were reported.
The residential vessel partially sunk to the depth of two feet and a small amount of diesel leaked into the River Thames. Fire crews used a hose inflation kit with three floating environment booms to create a damn around the boat to soak up surplus oil and prevent diesel leaking further into the river.
Station manager Alex Stewart was at the scene, he said: “Thanks to our crews’ quick actions they contained the diesel leaking into the River Thames and managed to prevent any wildlife coming to harm.”
The Brigade was called at 0611 and the incident was over for the Brigade by 0837. Crews will remain on scene to hand over to the Environment Agency.
Fire crews from Kingston and Twickenham fire stations attended the scene as well as Fire Rescue Units from Heston and Battersea fire stations.
Pager Alert 0622. Crew were called to assist @LondonFire with a sunken barge by Kingston Bridge. Occupants all safe. Removed 2 boats moored alongside casualty boat & towed to secure moorings. Thanks all! pic.twitter.com/exHF9mTuL2
— Teddington Lifeboat (@rnli_teddington) November 24, 2017
