Firefighters spent more than three hours tackling a fire in a narrowboat on the Kennet and Avon Canal in Devizes.

A passer by called 999 after seeing the boat on fire at about 6.45pm on Monday.

Sgt Vincent Logue of Devizes Police said the fire was being treated as arson.

The 42 foot long boat, which did not have a name, was moored between Prison Bridge and Town Bridge and its location was difficult to access and was unlit.

Both bridges were too far away to run hoses from so firefighters drove down a lane next to St Joseph’s Place to get closer and they walked through trees and over a fence on to the icy towpath.

After about half an hour flood lights on a tripod arrived from Salisbury Fire Station, which enabled the crews to have full visibility.

Station manager Darren Nixon, who was in charge of fighting the fire, said: “We quickly established that there was no one on board the boat so our job was to try to minimise the damage as best we could.

“Two fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel and a main jet to put out the fire.

“After about an hour we were able to get on to the boat and get inside checking for hot spots. We found a couple of LPG cylinders and made them safe.”

Crews from Devizes and Melksham tackled the fire. Water rescue firefighters from Chippenham and Trowbridge also attended but they were unable to use their boat as the water in the canal was frozen.

They used their 4x4 vehicle to transport equipment from Prison Bridge down the tow path to the firefighters tackling the fire. Water from the canal was used to put out the fire.

Mr Nixon said: “The boat was 70 to 80 per cent severely damaged by the fire. It appeared that no one had been living there recently. The fire fighters worked well to overcome the weather conditions and poor lighting in extinguishing the fire in quick time.”

Firefighters left the scene at 10.30pm.

Mr Nixon advises narrowboat owners to fit a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector.

He said portable gas equipment should be avoided where possible and gas canisters should be stored in special gas lockers or open places where any leaks will flow overboard. He also said people should avoid leaving a solid fuel stove lit when leaving the boat. To request a free boat safety check call 0800 389 7849.

Devizes police appealed for witnesses to the fire to call them on 0845 408 7000.