An empty boat went up in flames on the Thames on Friday night in a possible arson attack.

These photographs show the extent of the damage to the boat, moored at Broom Road Recreation Ground, Teddington.

Kingston firefighter Dave Young said: "It was just an empty moored-up boat alight."

Boat on fire near Teddington school @Teddington_Town pic.twitter.com/ejrSsZbMh0 — jess bolton (@overherejess) July 10, 2015

But a witness who took the photographs said he saw silhouettes of young people by the flames and cries of "get the f*** out of there" before they ran away.

The resident who lives on the Kingston bank opposite said: "The smoke was amazing. It was a pillar of smoke that was extraordinary. It caught different flammable materials and it really blew up.

"We are surprised how much of the boat was left the morning after. It did burn for at least 20 minutes or more."

This image by Sarah Page shows fire crews in action

He said the boat must have been illegally moored as there was no legal mooring there and signs saying so on the riverside. Richmond Council is currently taking action against other boat users.

The resident said: "This one only appeared about a week ago and we have never seen anyone on it.

"There was a guy who arrived later in the afternoon looking very down in the mouth and sorrowful in his late 40s. He looked like a boat person.

"He spent a long time there and took some photographs."

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