Nine people, including a baby, have been rushed to hospital after a boat is believed to have exploded on the banks of the River Thames.

The emergency services rushed to the scene and were spotted putting out the blaze in the small town of Lechlade, on the edge of Wiltshire, yesterday, May 31, at around midday.

The fire is believed to have been started by an explosion, but the exact circumstances of the terrifying blaze are unknown.

Among the nine people that were taken to hospital was a baby who was airlifted to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children for urgent medical care, according to Wiltshire999s.

Eight others were taken to hospital in the aftermath of the blaze, with one being airlifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Several members rushed to help rescue people from the fire as the flames engulfed the residential vessel.

Shocking images show smoke billowing out of a house boat on the Thames.

A huge emergency response was triggered as two air ambulances, six ambulances, three Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) ambulances and two ambulance rapid response vehicles were among the huge call out.

Several fire engines also dashed to the scene to help put out the terrifying blaze. Onlookers were captured looking on in horror at the blaze.

Police from several units, including Gloucestershire Constabulary, Thames Valley Police, Wiltshire Police and the MOD Police, were also at the scene of the 'explosion'.

Two people are believed to have been discharged from hospital.

A section of the river was closed as officers carried out enquiries into the incident.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire said: "We responded to a reported fire on a residential boat in the River Thames near Lechlade just before midday on Saturday (May 31).

"Nine people sustained injuries and were transported to hospital.

"A section of the river was closed and enquiries into the cause of the fire are ongoing."