A CANAL barge has been damaged following a fire. 

Fire crews were called to the waterside in Shernal Green, near Droitwich, after a fire broke out aboard the vessel.

Crews from Droitwich, Bromsgrove, Worcester and Tenbury Wells Fire Stations attended the scene, as well as a boat rescue team and the Environmental Protection Unit.

The fire damaged 50 per cent of the barge.

An oil sorbent boom was placed around the barge by firefighters in case of any oil spillage into the canal.

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Crews prepared the boom and placed it on the water while a water team using a sledge pulled it into position around the boat.

The fire was extinguished by four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using two hose reel jets at just after 3pm on Sunday (June 25).

Worcester News: An oil sorbent boom was put around the boat.An oil sorbent boom was put around the boat. (Image: Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service)

A Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “HWFR was called out to a boat on fire in Shernal Green at 3.09pm on Sunday.

“Crews from Droitwich, Bromsgrove, Worcester and Tenbury Wells Fire Stations, including a boat rescue team and the environmental protection unit, attended the scene on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal.

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“A canal narrowboat near Shernal Green Bridge was 50 per cent affected by the fire, which was extinguished by four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using two hose reel jets.

“The final crew left the scene at 5.30pm.”

Sunday was a busy day for emergency services after a nationwide failure of the 999 system.

The fire service had said measures were immediately put into place to receive emergency calls to its control room, and the station was crewed to receive "running calls" from the public at the fire station in the event of being unable to call them.