Barge bursts into flames near Sydney Harbour as police suspect gas canisters caught alight

A barge caught fire in Rozelle Bay, near Sydney Harbour, on Saturday, sending thick smoke across the city. Police suspect gas canisters caught alight; firefighters said the person who occupied the barge was away and no injuries had been reported.

Emergency services were called at about 10.30 am, and 20 firefighters from five stations arrived within eight minutes. Fire crews were taken to the vessel by police boat to suppress the remaining flames and search the barge to check that nobody was inside.