66-year-old arrested on suspicion of arson after devastating Lancaster Canal narrowboat fire in Garstang
A man has been charged with setting fire to a woman’s canal boat in Garstang at the weekend.
Fire crews were called to the blaze on Lancaster Canal, near Kepple Lane, shortly before 5pm on Saturday (January 31).
No one was injured, but the narrowboat suffered severe damage and was left a charred wreck. The fire was tackled by fire crews from Lancaster, Fulwood and Bamber Bridge, along with the water incident team from Preston.
Lancashire Police said a man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of arson and has since been charged.
Gary Laing, 66, of Atlantic Street, Altrincham, has been charged with arson endangering life and arson with recklessness as to whether life would be endangered.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Lancaster Magistrates Court today (Monday, February 2).
River Canal Rescue, the UK's only national breakdown service for inland marine vessels, was tasked with salvaging the torched narrowboat and making it safe for police to conduct a forensic examination.
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A spokesperson for the fire service added: “At 16.47pm, three fire engines from Lancaster, Fulwood and Bamber Bridge along with the water incident team from Preston attended Kepple Lane, Garstang.
“Firefighters used two breathing apparatus and two hose reels to extinguish a fire involving a narrowboat.”