THE body of a 42-year-old man was pulled from a burnt-out barge moored on the Kennet and Avon Canal near Hilperton.

Robin Steele, who had been living on the boat for nine months, was pulled out shortly after 10.30am on Monday.

Firefighters were called to a stretch of the canal near Hilperton Marina just after receiving reports from occupants of a nearby barge who had spotted smoke coming from the barge.

The blaze was soon extinguished but emergency services' attempts to resuscitate Mr Steele failed and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police cordoned off the area and are investigating the cause of the blaze.

A post mortem was carried out on Tuesday afternoon but further tests need to be carried out before the cause of death is known.

Detective Constable Paul Clifford, of Wiltshire Police, said: "Investigations are still continuing and further tests need to be done. It was more of a smouldering fire than an outright blaze."

Mr Steele is thought to have connections with Bath, Gloucester and Surrey.

DC Clifford said: "It seems he went wherever the canal took him. It is believed he had been living on the boat for about nine months and it was his intention to moor up here for the winter."

The man who raised the alarm was too distressed to talk to the press but police said he last saw Mr Steele on Sunday evening. He had tried to rescue him but was beaten back by the smoke.

Dawn Hooper, 32, of Towpath Road, Trowbridge, who watched the drama unfold from a bridge, said: "I'm quite shocked that something like this has happened you never expect it on your own doorstep."

Tina Johnson, who lives on a houseboat in Bath, rushed to the canal after hearing news about the fire, fearing it might have been someone she knew.

She said: "There is a real community among people who live on house boats we all look out for each other.

"I'm shocked by this fire because all boats have to be thoroughly checked for health and safety reasons before we can receive a licence."

The manager of Hilperton Marina, who did not want to be named, said houseboat fires were rare.

He said: "There are probably only one or two across the whole country every year."

The blaze follows an arson attack on a canal boat moored in Semington three weeks ago.

Anyone with information can contact DC Jason Roberts on (01225) 763101.