Family left homeless after boat fire

Posted on November 30^th 2009

Fire crews were called to Whaddon Lane canal last Saturday after a canal boat was engulfed by flames. Rod Havens, the owner of the vessel described how he had feared for his girlfriends life after thinking she was still onboard. Believing she was trapped inside the vessel he smashed a window in an attempt to gain entry into the canal boat. The breaking of the window caused a backdraft that only worsened the flames.

Fortunately Abi North, Mr Heavens girlfriend had been woken earlier by her dogs, which alerted her to the flames, she then called the fire department. It was not until 30 minutes of fearing for his girlfriend's life that Mr Heaven was reunited with his partner.

This tragedy has left the family of three with nothing as they were not insured, and perhaps more painfully they lost their dog Moxy to the fire as the eight-year-old Bull Mastiff pointer cross died from smoke inhalation.

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