Canal boat owner 'loses everything' in fire

George Pedley's boat caught fire and sank to the bottom of the canal

A man whose canal boat was destroyed in a fire says he has "lost everything" just days before Christmas.

Flames broke out on George Pedley's houseboat, which is based on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal in Frampton on Severn, on 6 December, after he believes a fuel and gas bottle stored on board ignited.

Although he has boat insurance, Mr Pedley estimated he could have lost between £25,000 and £30,000 in uninsured content.

"I'm just taking it one day at a time at the moment, every minute of the day is consumed by this loss," he said.

Mr Pedley was out for the evening when he received a call to say his boat was on fire.

"By bystanders' accounts, it went up pretty quickly and they don't think I would have got out if I was on there, if you want to look at a silver lining," he said.

Mr Pedley said all he has left is the clothes he was wearing on the night of the fire, and lost a laptop and a drone, which he was trying to start a business

"You never really contemplate losing absolutely everything, like clothes, toiletries, and shoes," he added.

Since the fire, Mr Pedley said he has "very generous" friends who have lent him money, their sofas to sleep on, clothes, a sleeping bag and some blankets.

'Lovely community'

Mr Pedley said his neighbouring boat owners were "lovely".

"The only thing that was left was a dinghy and [a neighbour] has made sure that's been put safe," he said.

"I have spoken to a few people and they've all said if I need any help to just let them know."

Mr Pedley is hoping to raise £2,500 towards replacing items destroyed in the fire.