Sunken boat leaks fuel into Glasson Dock Marina in Lancaster

Firefighters were called to reports a fishing vessel had sunk at Glasson Dock Marina today (June 23), causing it to leak fuel into the water.

One fire engine from Lancaster attend the scene at around 8.08am, supported by the Hazardous Material Unit from South Shore, the boat unit from Preston and the aerial support unit.

Members of the public were asked to avoid the area and to keep windows and doors closed if they lived nearby as a precaution.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Reports said that a fishing vessel had sunk and was leaking fuel into the marina. In addition to one fire engine from Lancaster attending, support is being provided by the Hazmat Unit from South Shore, the boat unit from Preston and the aerial support unit.

"Crews are working alongside multi-agency partners to mitigate the environmental impact of the incident and members of the public are being asked to avoid the areas if possible and keep windows and doors closed as a precaution if you live nearby the incident."

A 150m boom was deployed around the vessel at around 12.30pm to assist in containing the spill.

Containment booms are specially designed floating barriers that are used to prevent an oil or chemical spill from moving freely across a water surface.

Alongside fire crews, an environmental health officer from Lancaster City Council was called to the scene to mitigate the environmental impact of the incident.

A spokesperson for Lancaster City Council added: "One of our environmental health officers has joined multi-agency partners to assist in a spillage incident at Glasson Dock Marina."