Dog rescued as boat explodes and sinks at Kelston Lock

A private boat suffered an explosion and subsequently sank at Kelston Lock on the Bristol Avon navigation last month. The boat was recovered on Friday 5 September by River Canal Rescue.

According to the owners, who have chosen to remain anonymous, the boat departed Mill Island at around 11.30am on 25 August, heading towards Bath. Upon arrival at Kelston Lock, the crew began operating the lock gates when, at 11.50am, an explosion was heard from the engine area, with flames soon visible at the stern. 

The co-owner on board attempted to extinguish the fire but was advised to evacuate immediately due to the risk of further explosion. They were then assisted to safety before a friend, acting as a crew, re-entered the burning boat to rescue a dog from a cabin successfully. 

By 11.58am, the fire engulfed the boat. Local bystanders alerted the fire service, but hose reach limitations hampered initial attempts to fight the blaze. Firefighters later transported equipment across the water via an inflatable boat and were able to put out the flames, while the lock gates had already sustained damage. 

The fire was brought under control by 12.50pm, but the boat sank in the lock at 1.19pm. The Canal & River Trust has since replaced the damaged 200-year-old lock gates. 

The River Canal Rescue filmed the recovery and will be shared on YouTube later this month. A Channel 4 film crew also captured the operation as part of its forthcoming series Narrow Escapes, scheduled to air in May 2026. 

Investigations into the cause of the explosion are expected to progress.