Headlines: Houseboat fire and tree destruction

An aerial image showing the houseboat fire in Lechlade on Thames. The river meanders through vast green fields. On the left there is white smoke coming from a boat in the water. Parked on the right side of the river there are multiple emergency vehicles and a red helicopter.Image source, Stevie Joy
Image caption,

Nine people were reportedly injured after a fire on a residential boat on the River Thames

  • Published

Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media on Monday 2 June.

Our pick of local website stories

A dramatic picture has been released of the residential houseboat which caught fire, external while cruising along the river in Lechlade.

A young otter cub, external has made a "remarkable recovery" after being rushed to the RSPCA's West Hatch centre in Somerset with a respiratory infection.

Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner has supported calls to make cannabis a Class A drug, external. Recategorizing it would align it with other illicit substances like heroin and cocaine.

A key road in Bridgwater town centre will be shut for two months, external as the delivery of the town's 'Celebration Mile' continues.

Our top three from yesterday

What to watch on social media

A 'Welcome to Margate', external sign has appeared on the road to nowhere in Yate, suggesting the deserted stretch is possibly being used as a filming location.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have issued a reminder that most vapes contain hidden lithium batteries, which can spark fires if crushed, external.

'Mindless' vandals, external have chopped down two young trees in Victoria Park in Frome and littered the grass with charred book pages.

Follow BBC West social channels in Bristol, external, Gloucestershire, external, Somerset, external and Wiltshire, external. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.