Thousands of litres of fuel has leaked into the Grand Union Canal at Gayton Marina in Northamptonshire
Ten people living on houseboats have been treated after thousands of litres of fuel leaked into the Grand Union Canal.
Others were evacuated and 150 boats were searched by police after vapours from the leak, at Gayton Marina in Northamptonshire, spread.
Police said they believe it was a "criminal act" and have appealed for witnesses to contact them.
The Environment Agency is working to remove fuel from the water's surface.
Firefighters were called shortly before 04:15 BST to discover a highly inflammable fuel from a pipeline near the marina was leaking directly into the water.
'Environmental consequences'
The area affected was contained to a 600-metre stretch from the Blisworth Arm, running south towards the M1 at Rothershorpe.
Those evacuated have been placed in temporary accommodation by staff from Northamptonshire County Council's Emergency Planning Service.
Ch Supt Paul Fell said: "I'd like to reassure people this leak will have no detrimental effect on fuel supplies in the local area. However, this was a criminal act which has had very significant environmental consequences in that stretch of the canal.
"We are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen anything suspicious in that area during the early hours to contact us."
- Published9 January 2013
- Published7 January 2013
