Fire destroys boat in Gosport

Multiple emergency crews responded to a major vessel fire off Gilkicker Point, Gosport, on the afternoon of 1 August.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have confirmed that crews were alerted at 12.10pm after multiple calls were made regarding a leisure boat on fire at Gilkicker Point.

According to local reports, a man onboard the leisure boat managed to jump into the water in time and was recovered by a passing boat, before being transferred to a Solent lifeboat.

Around 20 firefighters, supported by HM Coastguard, attended the scene and helped extinguish the blaze.

Members of the public were advised to avoid the area due to the number of emergency services vehicles on the scene.

No injuries were sustained, though the vessel was completely destroyed. The cause of the fire has not yet been revealed.

According to onlookers, the fire took hold fast and smoke from the incident could be seen for miles across the Solent.