Vacuum cleaner sparked ship blaze

Investigators found an industrial vacuum cleaner accidentally left switched on for two days was the cause of the blaze.

The machine was being used to remove waste from the ship as part of a renovation programme when the fire occurred in May 2007.

Officials found the equipment had been left running throughout the weekend before the fire broke out in the early hours of Monday morning.

Physical evidence and CCTV footage of the fire revealed it broke out towards the stern of the ship on the lower deck.

Police said there was no evidence the ship was subjected to an arson attack and said the fire was started accidentally.

Officers added it was unlikely the fire was caused by hot work being carried out as part of the conservation or by a discarded cigarette.

The investigation was conducted by Metropolitan Police detectives working alongside London Fire Brigade and forensic experts.

More than 40 firefighters fought the blaze which began shortly before 5am on May 21, 2007 at the ship's dry dock in Greenwich, south east London.