Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

You may have heard all the sirens earlier today.

A man has lost his life following a fire on a canal boat this morning (25 November).

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service was called to the Kennet & Avon Canal at Hilperton Marsh at 7.19am after a dog walker saw the boat well alight (a 'technical' fire service term).

Crews from Trowbridge, Melksham and Devizes attended, together with a water rescue team from Trowbridge and a 4x4 pump from Westbury.

Four breathing apparatus wearers used two hose reel jets and a main jet to tackle the blaze. Firefighters quickly found the man on board the boat and brought him to land, but he was confirmed dead at the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The identity of the man will be released by Wiltshire Police once next of kin have been informed.

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service offers free safety checks to anyone living or working on a canal boat. To request a visit, or for more information about keeping safe, visit www.wiltsfire.gov.uk/boatsafety