A total of 30 people were evacuated from a canal boat near Horton after fire broke out in the kitchen . . . but there was no crisis with this apparent drama.

Sunday’s realistic scene was part of a training exercise to ensure the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust could respond well if a real fire did break out on one of its boats.

Firefighters from Devizes, Calne and Chippenham added to the tension at the scene as crews using breathing apparatus were sent in to deal with simulated smoke once the passengers had been evacuated.

Devizes watch manager Mark Perrett said: “It all went very well and the passengers got off the boat in a well-ordered fashion.

“We were really just there to add to the reality of the situation, but it was a useful training exercise for us as well, as you never know when you are going to be called on to deal with something like this in real life.”

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue teamed up with the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust for the exercise to test procedures for an incident on the water.

The scenario was based on a passenger boat carrying up 30 people and experiencing a severe fire on board.

The fire crews were joined by Wiltshire Police and South Western Ambulance Service.

Devizes station manager Darren Nixon said: “The trust was keen to test and review its emergency plans in a realistic way, so it was an ideal opportunity for us to carry out an exercise and build on firefighters’ understanding of the challenges involved with incidents on the canal.

“Given the number of boats that travel along the Kennet and Avon Canal each year, this stretch of water is seen by us as a high risk area and we have had a number of boat fires over the years.

“We do a lot of safety work with the boating community to try and prevent such incidents from happening.

“However, we also need to be sure that, should the worst happen, we are as prepared as we can be to deal with it.”

Graham Day, the director of boats for the canal trust, added: “We own and operate four passenger boats along the canal and deliver hundreds of trips, so have to be certain that our emergency plans are robust and will work should a fire break out.

“We are very grateful to all the services for supporting this training event so enthusiastically.”