Firemen were still on duty early today following the massive blaze which destroyed the boathouses and a historic Dunkirk ship at Platt's Eyot near Hampton Court Palace.

The silhouetted shell of the boathouse remains could be seen at first light as firemen continued to hose down the smouldering debris's and twisted wreckage of the frame of Unit 1 and Unit 2 boathouses.

It's understood the veteran Dunkirk vessel Lady Gay in Unit 3 was completely destroyed but other ships linked with WW1 and WW11 were saved.

According to witnesses one man called Andy heroically managed to salvage a historic Motor Torpedo Boat known as MTB 208 by using a tug to pull it away from the raging blaze.

Today fire hoses snaked across the Eyot with at least eight fire appliances still parked in Lower Sunbury road because of limited actress to the island across a footbridge.

Fire crews were still wearing breathing apparatus as early morning river rowers looked shocked at the smoking ruins of the boathouses and the stench of smoke still filled the air

According to the site manager Craig Otero the police and the fire brigade do know the cause of the massive which broke out late afternoon on Bank Holiday Monday but he declined to elaborate.

One hundred firefighters and fifteen fire engines were involved in tackling the blaze, which totally destroyed two huge industrial units.

The only access to the island is by footbridge so equipment needed to be carried across by trolley.

Seven fire engines and a London Fire Brigade Unit remained at the scene at 9am today.

Witnesses said a series of explosions were heard at the height of the blaze, which were caused by cylinders stored in the boathouses.

It is understood the veteran Dunkirk boat was undergoing renovation work in one of the boathouses when the fire broke out.

A senior fire officer at the scene told Nub News the cause was still under investigation.

Nub News will continue to post updates as we get them.

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