A WOMAN sustained a serious leg injury and a dog is believed dead after a boat exploded and burst into flames at Conwy Marina.
Thick black smoke was seen billowing from the scene on Saturday, September 9.
The incident led to a multi-agency response; lifeboat crew, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, coastguard officers, Welsh Ambulance and police all attended.
A statement on Conwy Lifeboat's Facebook page said: "At 5.52 yesterday (September 9), our RNLI pagers were sounded to reports of two people on West Shore. Our inshore lifeboat, The May-Bob, was swiftly launched with volunteer crew members Danny, Billy and Lucy.
"En route to the West Shore tasking a 'May Day' was received and HM Coastguard re-tasked Conwy Lifeboat to head into Conwy Marina basin due to reports of a fire.
"With arriving on scene, thick black smoke was billowing and a casualty vessel on the end of G-Leg was well ablaze following gas explosion. Male owner self recovered from water and lady owner had been moved further down pontoon with off duty GP.
"Two of our lifeboat crew members took first aid equipment to casualty and assisted with positioning and reassurance.
"Sadly the dog on board believed to be deceased owing to fire."
The statement added: "North Wales Fire Service arrived on scene to assess and the lifeboat moved to a safer position. The lifeboat then proceeded to conduct a sweep of the pontoons for persons in the water whilst repositioning lifeboat and clearing people to safety in case of further explosion. Fair amount of vessel owners opted to shift their vessels clear of area. Paramedics arrived on scene and our two lifeboat crew members continued to assist the casualty as required together with the off duty GP and Nurse who were nearby.
"Fisheries 19m aluminium hull ‘Lady Megan’ berthed next to casualty vessel on end of G-Leg went ablaze, fire service arrived with a portable pump and brought the blaze under control. The casualty vessel, a power cruiser, sank shortly after.
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"The lifeboat continued to provide safety cover for the fire service alongside Coastguard Rescue Teams.
"The casualty was transferred to an awaiting ambulance with a reported severe compound fracture to left ankle and suspected fracture to right leg.
"Following this the lifeboat equipment was recovered to the boat and some further safety sweeps of area were conducted before the lifeboat returned to station to be cleaned and made ready again for service.
"Other volunteer crew members drove around to West Shore to check on the reports of the two casualties who had been reported to be safe on the pontoons. It was established that these people were in fact kayakers and were safe.
"Once again thank you to all our volunteer crew members and to the people who assisted with the casualty. Again it was a great all round team and multi agency effort."
It’s been a very busy week for Conwy Lifeboat with callouts.
The incident takes the station closer to its 1,000 'shout' since the opening of Conwy Lifeboat Station in 1966.
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