Around half of the MV Royal Iris moored near Harrington Way was burning when the fire service was sent around 4.15pm yesterday (April 8).
The boat is “arguably the most famous, and loved of all the ferries that have crossed the Mersey over the centuries”, according to local history site ianVisits.(Image: LFB)
The boat not only carried thousands of people across the Mersey, but also hosted famous bands like The Searchers, Elvis Costello and Gerry & The Pacemakers.
The last band was inspired by the boat to write the song and film Ferry Cross the Mersey.
After becoming run-down, the boat became a floating nightclub on the Thames in 1998 before partially sinking to the riverbed – where it has sat rusting ever since.
The fire service said that due to its remote location, a water relay system was used to connect hoses near the fire to the nearest water hydrant.
Six fire engines and a fire boat with crews from East Greenwich, Forest Hill, Poplar, New Cross and Deptford fire stations tackled the fire by 7pm the same day.
A 32-metre turntable ladder was used as an observation tower to help provide the Incident Commander with a better view of the fire.
Firefighters are to stay at the site to completely extinguish the fire and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
