This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24323395

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Thames vessel 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 an amphibious tourist vessel on the River Thames caught fire close to the Houses of Parliament.
Many people jumped into the water to escape the flames. Many people jumped into the river from the London Duck Tours craft.
Passengers and crew were rescued by a passing tourist vessel and emergency services. All the passengers and crew were rescued by the emergency services and a passing tourist boat.
Those rescued were mainly "wet and cold", said London Ambulance. A woman and a child were taken to hospital after inhaling smoke. Those rescued were mainly "wet and cold", said London Ambulance. Some people had suffered the effects of inhaling smoke.
The London Duck Tours amphibious vessel was badly damaged as flames took hold, creating thick black smoke. Three people were taken to hospital "as a precaution" said an ambulance service spokeswoman.
London Fire Brigade (LBF) said it pulled 15 people from the water. Those on board are believed to have included visitors from the UK, Brazil, Russia and Sweden, she said.
Low tide
London Fire Brigade station manager Simon Tuhill said: "Our crews worked really hard to extinguish that fire and get the people out of the water.
"There were 30 people on the boat and most of them ended up in the water.
"They were suffering from being too cold and wet.
"Fortunately it was low tide so they weren't in very deep water."
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Several Metropolitan Police units attended, including the Marine Policing Unit and the police helicopter.A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Several Metropolitan Police units attended, including the Marine Policing Unit and the police helicopter.
"A number of people were recovered from the water. All 28 passengers and two crew members have been accounted for." "A number of people were recovered from the water.
LFB said 30% of the tourist boat was damaged. "All 28 passengers and two crew members have been accounted for."
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. The damaged boat was pulled away from the scene and the fire service has begun an investigation into how the fire started.
"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.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.John Bigos, managing director of London Duck Tours, said he had no comment to make at present.
Liverpool DuckmarinesLiverpool Duckmarines
An operating licence for amphibious vehicles in Liverpool was revoked last month, after two vessels sank in the city's Albert Dock.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.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 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.The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh travelled on one of the converted World War II craft during the Diamond Jubilee tour last year.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions