THE main A591 road through the Lake District was closed yesterday (Thursday) afternoon as emergency services dealt with a powerboat fire after an explosion at the Waterhead Marine.

Nearby residents in Ambleside reported hearing a “big boom” as a small powerboat moored at the marina, which is next to the road, burst into flames. Fire crews from Ambleside, Kendal and Windermere were immediately called to the scene at 4.25pm to extinguish the blaziong boat, which threatened to ignite a nearby cruiser and potentially a petrol station at the front of the marina. Besides closing the A591, police cleared bystanders from outside Ambleside Youth Hostel. Speaking shortly after being moved on from the lake side Sally Capewell of Scotts Café at Waterhead said: “There’s masses of black smoke and a neighbour said she heard a big boom – possibly the petrol tank exploding.” Police said two people had sustained “minor injuries”.