A BOAT that caught fire in central Oxford has been extinguished by firefighters.

The blaze broke out in mid-afternoon yesterday and black smoke was seen over the city.

Fire service duty officer Graham Mitchell said two fire engines were sent to the scene at the River Thames near Abbey Road.

Fire crews had to act quickly to stop an LPG cylinder on the boat from rupturing, and managed to stop the hull from sinking.

Nobody was injured in the blaze but Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed Thames Valley Police was treating the fire as suspicious and is appealling for witnesses.