A SPEED boat caught fire in Heybridge on Saturday.

Fire crews were called to Heybridge Basin in the afternoon with reports that the boat was completely alight.

It is understood that the boat had caught fire whilst it was being refuelled when moored on the beach near Osea Leisure Park on Goldhanger Road. No one was injured.

A fire service spokesman said: "Firefighters were called to reports of a boat fire near Goldhanger Road, Heybridge, at 2.04pm on Saturday.

“On arrival, crews reported that a power boat, measuring around four metres in length, was completely alight. The boat was moored up on the beach at the time of the fire.

“Firefighters worked hard to extinguish the fire by 2.35pm. The boat has been badly damaged.”