Warwick Castle Cannonball show sets fire to boathouse Credit: SWNS
This was the dramatic moment hundreds of tourists fled Warwick Castle when a historic thatched boat house went up in flames – after it was hit by a flaming cannonball.
Sparks from the cannonball, which was fired from the huge 22-tonne wooden trebuchet, ignited the roof of the 119-year-old boat house.
Rescue crews, including 30 firefighters, dashed to the scene of the blaze which broke out shortly after 5.45pm yesterday.
Families, many with young children enjoying the last day of the Easter break, watched in disbelief as the thatched roof caught fire after the final launch of the trebuchet.
42-year-old Heather Taylor had travelled from Birmingham with her six-year-old son Ethan to watch the cannonball launch.
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the sent three fire engines to tackle the blaze.
It is not believed anyone was injured in the blaze and the castle was unaffected by the fire.
The historic boat house which was destroyed in the blaze dates back to 1896.
