The distraught owner of a boatyard destroyed by the massive fire at Platt's Eyot talked emotionally for the first time about how he and others battled to save the boats in his yard, including a historic Dunkirk little ship.

Tony Woollard, owner of Otter Marine, was at the yard on late Monday afternoon when the blaze started.

He was alerted that a fire had broken out in some nearby rubbish but it took hold so quickly it was impossible to stop it spreading.

Mr Woollard told Nub News: "Ten of us tried to launch the Lady Gay to save her from burning but it was impossible.

"The fire took hold so quickly and the glass was falling in from the roof. We couldn't do anything, the fire was so fierce."

He spoke as it was revealed that Gofundme campaign has been launched to help support Mr Woollard, who has owned the yard at Platt's Eyot for 21 years

The historic 86-year-old motor yacht Lady Gay which had helped bring soldiers back from Dunkirk during World War Two, was sadly lost to the blaze.

Two other boats, The Pippin and a harbour launch called Angie, were also destroyed in the boathouse which was made of steel and asbestos with wooden walls.

Mr Woollard revealed that the Lady Gay was in the boathouse to upgrade the varnish and to 'update the head' of the vessel owned by businessman Jason Carley and his wife Christene.

"I have absolutely nothing left now," he said.

"Everything has been destroyed including my tools. It is all reduced to just a pile of ash.

"I don't know what I am going to do. I can't even sift through the debris as I am told it is hazardous waste."

Mr Woollard said he had been in touch with the owner of Lady Gay and although the vessel was fully insured he added: "It doesn't matter about the money. This was a Dunkirk Little Ship and it's like having a child taken away. They had owned the boat for 13 years."

He has also been in discussions with his own insurance company.

Fellow boat owner Miles Oliver wrote on Twitter: "Following the fire at Platt's Eyot in Hampton a gofundme page has been set up to help Tony who was the only one to lose everything.

"We tried to save the three boats in his boat yard including Lady Gay but the fire was too fast."

The Gofundme campaign has been organised by Rachel Bustin who wrote: "Another huge thank you to everyone who has shared and contributed, as well as all your kind thoughts and offers of help.

"Your support means so much. As the second target has been reached, I'm going to increase the target again and will update in more detail tomorrow."

As of 6pm today (Wednesday 5 May), £2090 had been raised by 57 contributors.

You can support the campaign HERE

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