Boat Fire Goldalming Wharf - Police Investigation

Now we haven't been down the River Wey for some time, but somebody in Surrey Police obviously thought it important to contact bloggers who could be boating in the area about an incident that occurred at Godalming Wharf.  Worryingly its a boat fire that was started deliberately. There are references to it in the local media, Facebook and web but an interesting move is circulating bloggers. The published photos look horrendous.

In case any readers might have information, here is the press release verbatim.

Issue Date:03 November 2018

Houseboat set on fire in Godalming - we need witnesses

We are appealing for information and witnesses after a boat was deliberately set alight in Godalming last night.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and Surrey Police were called to Godalming Wharf, opposite Sainsbury's, shortly before 6pm last night (Friday 2 November) to a houseboat that was on fire. The fire caused substantial damage to the boat, but thankfully nobody was on board the boat at the time.

The fire is believed to have been started deliberately, and we are now investigating the circumstances in conjunction with Fire Investigation Officers from the fire service. Early indications are that a flammable liquid was poured on the boat before it was set alight.

Officers are keen to trace everyone who was in the area of the wharf between 5.30pm and 6pm - in case they s aw or heard anything that may assist in their investigations. They are also asking people who were shopping in the Sainsbury's opposite the wharf last night to check any dashcam footage, and to consider if they saw anything suspicious that could help.

Detective Constable Richard Pegden, who is investigating the incident, said: "Setting fire to a boat is a very dangerous, very stupid, thing to do and it is only down to luck that the boat was unoccupied at the time, and that it didn't spread to other nearby boats. I am determined to find out is responsible - there would have been a lot of people in the area, so I am sure someone would have seen something that can help us find who did this."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Surrey Police on 101, or surrey.police.uk/ReportIt quoting reference 45180117331.