A pleasure boat has caught fire on the Platts Eyot island in the Thames near Hampton.

Peter Longdon, 62, said: “I heard an explosion and then saw a 26-foot cabin cruiser up in flames.

"The fire brigade came and extinguished the flames within 15 minutes or so."

Mr Longdon believed the owners of the boat were not on board at the time of the fire and it may have been gas cylinders that caused the explosion.

London Fire Brigade posted on Twitter: "Our crews are working hard to bring the boat fire at Platts Eyot island under control. Three fire engines are at the scene."

Platts Eyot is an island in the Thames between Molesey Lock and Sunbury Lock reached by a suspension bridge from Hampton.