Reports of a blaze on Eel Pie Island over the weekend will have concerned many. We all knew it must be serious as a fire boat was called upstream. Unfortunately it was low tide on Saturday night which did not help with pumping.
We now know that the house which has burnt down belongs to architect Clive Chapman who has worked on several local projects including one for Twickenham riverside. The remains of his house, which he designed, can be seen from the towpath.
The disaster brings back memories of Eel Pie Island Hotel which burnt down in 1971 and another serious fire on the island in the 1990s.
Inventor Trevor Baylis who also lives on the island said that the flames were above the trees.
See page 61.