TWO friends trying to build a life in Oxford have told how they lost everything, including their beloved dog, when their boat was destroyed by a blaze.

Cathy Johnson and Lee Sims narrowly escaped when the boat they were borrowing from a friend caught fire in the early hours of Saturday on the Thames, near Osney Bridge.

They said their friend Chris, also on board the 20ft pleasure boat, saved their lives by smashing the windows and helping them swim to safety.

Miss Johnson, 34, said: “I have never felt so desolate or alone. I lost everything I had in that boat.

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“Chris was fantastic, he was so brave.”

The trio spent Friday evening chatting and drinking and went to sleep at 11.30pm, she said. Miss Johnson woke at 3.30am to find the boat full of smoke.

She and Chris tried to kick open the door but quickly lost their strength in the choking smoke and started trying to shout for help. 

Neighbouring boat owner John Simmonds, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, told the Oxford Mail on Monday he tried to help the friends during the fire from outside the boat by shouting at them to smash a window.

Chris grabbed a wok and smashed the window open, and he and Miss Johnson leapt into the river. 

Mr Simmonds then helped to haul them out of the water.

Then they heard Mr Sims shouting from inside – he could not even see the window. 

Mr Sims, 42, said: “It got to the stage where I couldn’t breath anymore so I couldn’t shout anything.” 

Oxford Mail:

The blaze

Chris clambered back on board, reached through the window and hauled his friend out into the river, then helped Miss Johnson find the bank through the water. 

Mr Sims said: “If Chris hadn’t grabbed me I would have gone down with the boat.” 

On the bank, Miss Johnson realised her beloved Collie, Storm, was still on the boat. 

She jumped back on board to try to pull open the door, but was pulled back by Mr Sims and other passers by who gathered to help. 

Seconds later, they said, a gas canister and a petrol bottle both exploded, destroying the boat. It sank a few hours later. 

Miss Johnson and Mr Sims came to Oxford nine months ago from Cornwall. 
She had ost her job as an insurance broker when her firm went into administration last year, then lost her flat. 

Mr Sims had been homeless since he was 14, after losing both parents at a young age. 

The pair came to Oxford in hope of better prospects, and lived in a tent while working for The Big Issue. 

A friend offered them his boat over winter just three weeks ago so they had somewhere warm to stay over winter while saving for something more permanent. 

They had already spent £300 re-painting it and making minor repairs. They lost another £200 of savings which was on board. 

After the fire, the three friends were treated for minor burns at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital, and on Saturday morning caught a bus back to the city centre, still wearing hospital pyjamas and socks. 

Oxford Mail:

Cathy Thompson and Lee Sims 

They were overwhelmed by the generosity of strangers who took sympathy with their plight. 

First, a woman who had bought The Big Issue from Miss Johnson met them in the street and gave her the coat off her back. 

Another Big Issue buyer called Sarah bought them two sleeping bags, new clothes and gave them money for food. 

A couple of students called Peter and Sarah bought them a tent. 

Chris, who lost the guitar and amp he busks with in Oxford, has now gone back to his home in Salisbury and they have not heard from him. 

Police said the fire appeared to be accidental and was not suspicious and the fire service is investigating the cause of the blaze. 

The boat is still stricken near Osney Bridge. 

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