Boat explodes killing dog and injuring people

Two people were taken to hospital and a dog lost its life following a gas explosion on a pleasure boat. Fire crews from Wrexham, backed by the Deeside Water Rescue Unit, rushed to Chirk Marina at 6.10pm on Saturday, December 14.

The dog, who was on board during the explosion, sadly didn't survive. The two people managed to escape the vessel and were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The boat sank after the explosion, but the flames spread to a 40ft canal boat, causing significant damage. A drifting boat was also stopped from colliding with other vessels after its mooring ropes caught fire and broke.

North Wales Fire Service Green Watch provided an update saying: "Crews established multiple safe systems of work to ensure crew safety while operating in the dark near the water's edge."

"The water rescue team deployed their sled to secure a drifting boat that had burned through its mooring ropes, preventing it from colliding with other vessels," reports North Wales Live.

They added: "Thanks to the assistance of marine staff, no pollutants or fire debris entered the main canal, and the incident was fully contained."

"Unfortunately, one boat was completely destroyed and sank. Sadly a dog that was on board at the time of the explosion couldn't be saved and sadly passed away on the boat. The second vessel sustained severe fire damage, but crews limited the fire spread."