An investigation has now been launched after an abandoned boat was spotted on fire on the River Thames. It later sank close to the Wokingham Waterside Centre.

Thames Valley Police are now investigating the cause of a fire on board a boat which later sank.

Officers on a towpath at Cholmeley Road, Reading spotted the burning vessel at around 1.30am on 27 June.

The boat was floating down the river behind the Thames Valley Business Park.

Firefighters from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service were called.

Two fire engines, the specialist appliance from Maidenhead and the water rescue unit and boat responded.

The crew on board the water rescue unit boat tried to reach the vessel to tow it ashore but the boat was so badly damaged that it sank near to the Wokingham Waterside Centre.

The police say that it is not believed that anyone was on board the 15 foot vessel.

No one was injured in the incident.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: “Thames Valley police officers on a towpath at Cholmley Road, Reading spotted a fire on a 15ft boat (apparently abandoned) floating down the river.”

“Fire service attended and attempted to tow boat to shore but it was so badly damaged that it sank. It is not believed at this stage that anyone was on board at the time,” concluded the spokesman.

A team from the Environment Agency has since attended the scene to ensure the boat wasn’t causing a hazard to navigation.