GUTTED: A narrowboat has been destroyed in a blaze.

Two fire crews from Leek attended the incident on the Caldon Canal, near the Hollybush Inn, in Denford, yesterday at 10.30am.

Andrew Bradshaw, right, whose friend Robert Cooper, left, owned the boat, had been living on it, but was not on board at the time of the fire.

Firefighters, who extinguished the blaze using one hose reel jet, believe it was started by a faulty chimney flue.

Watch Manager, Rick Eyre, said the accidental blaze caused a severe amount of damage.

He said: "The wooden boat has suffered pretty extensive damage as a result of the fire, which we believe started because of a problem with its chimney flue.

"Although no-one was on board at the time, we are aware there were a lot of personal belongings on the boat when the fire started.

"Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service would urge boat owners to make sure their chimneys are cleaned and maintained regularly.

"Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors should also be fitted to boats where chimney flues are in place."

Following the incident, firefighters spoke to other boat owners in the area, providing them with smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors where necessary.

Pictures: Clare Jennings