Nine people, including a baby, are in hospital after a boat 'exploded' on the banks of the River Thames.

Emergency services raced to the scene after the fire broke out in Lechlade, Wilts., at around midday on Saturday (31/5).

Members of the public helped rescue people from the fire and water as the flames took hold of the residential vessel.

Two air ambulances, six ambulances, three Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) ambulances and two ambulance rapid response vehicles were on scene.

Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance both landed in the field near to where 999 vehicles had parked.

Also attending were numerous fire engines and police units from Gloucestershire Constabulary, Thames Valley Police, Wiltshire Police and the MOD Police.

Police say nine people sustained injuries in the incident, and were taken to hospital.

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson added: "A section of the river was closed and enquiries into the cause of the fire are ongoing."

It's understood that a child, thought to be an infant, was airlifted to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children for urgent care.

Another person was airlifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for treatment, while others were taken to hospitals by land ambulance.

Wiltshire Police has not provided details on the conditions of those injured. It's understood that at least two people have been discharged from hospital.