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Thames boat tourists 'jump into river' to escape fire Thames vessel tourists jump into river to escape fire
(35 minutes later)
Thirty people were rescued when a tourist vessel on the River Thames caught fire close to the Houses of Parliament. Thirty people were rescued when a tourist vessel on the River Thames caught fire close to the Houses of Parliament.
Many people are reported to have jumped into the water to escape the fire. Many people jumped into the water to escape the flames.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the passengers and crew were rescued by a passing tourist vessel. Passengers and crew were rescued by a passing tourist vessel and emergency services.
The passengers and were mainly "wet and cold", said to London Ambulance. A woman and a child were taken to hospital after breathing in smoke. Those rescued were mainly "wet and cold", said London Ambulance. A woman and a child were taken to hospital after inhaling smoke.
Amphibious vessel The London Duck Tours amphibious vessel was badly damaged as flames took hold, creating thick black smoke.
The London Duck Tours amphibious vessel was badly damaged as flames took hold creating thick black smoke. London Fire Brigade (LBF) said it pulled 15 people from the water.
John Bigos, the company's managing director, said he had no comment to make at present. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Several Metropolitan Police units attended, including the Marine Policing Unit and the police helicopter.
One eyewitness told the BBC he saw people jumping into the river. "A number of people were recovered from the water. All 28 passengers and two crew members have been accounted for."
A police source said the nature of the injuries "could have been a lot worse".
He added that a number of people were reported to be in the water at the same time.
Several Metropolitan Police units attended, including the Marine Policing Unit and the police helicopter.
LFB said 30% of the tourist boat was damaged.LFB said 30% of the tourist boat was damaged.
Group manager Neil Withers said: "A number of people jumped into the water but they were soon rescued, and fortunately at this stage it doesn't look like anyone's been seriously injured.
"People are clearly cold, wet and in shock but they were pulled from the water really quickly and that's testament to the work of our firefighters, other emergency rescue teams and others who rushed to the scene to help."
The damaged boat was pulled away from the scene and the LFB has begun an investigation into how the fire started.
The Port of London Authority is also expected to investigate the blaze.
John Bigos, managing director of London Duck Tours, said he had no comment to make at present.
Liverpool Duckmarines
An operating licence for amphibious vehicles in Liverpool was revoked last month, after two vessels sank in the city's Albert Dock.
A number of tourists were rescued during the sinkings in March and June.
The Yellow Duckmarines were a popular attraction, offering tours of Liverpool.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh travelled on one of the converted World War II craft during the Diamond Jubilee tour last year.
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