Blaze causes boat to sink

A canal barge has partially sunk in a Staffordshire Canal after a fire in the early hours of this morning.

Firefighters from Cannock rushed to the Staffordshire Worcestershire Canal at Wood Bank Lane in Penkridge at around 4.20am.

Although the fire on the boat was already out the vessel was sinking and firefighters worked in conjunction with staff from British Waterways to try and keep it afloat.

Police have this morning sealed off the tow path and are investigating the cause of the fire and arson has not been ruled out.

Nicky Lister, spokesman for British Waterways said: "The boat is currently submerged and staff from British Waterways were on scene this morning.

"When the police have completed their investigations we will pump out the boat and re-float it. It will then be towed to a safe place.

"As far as we know the barge was vacant at the time of the fire."