A boat owner narrowly escaped death early today when his cabin cruiser exploded in flames at Shoreham Harbour.

Tim Brooking, 65, from Worthing, was pinned under debris after a gas explosion ripped the cabin and deck off the Pathfinder.

The grandfather is thought to have bought the boat after he retired and used it for fishing. People from boats moored nearby said he often spent nights on board.

Rescuers found him, barely conscious and suffering from 20 per cent burns to his arms, trapped under the boat's upturned cabin.

The explosion was believed caused by a leaking gas canister.

Fire crews from Hove and Shoreham were called to Nicholson Wharf at Basin Road North, Southwick, at 12.25am.

Leading firefighter Dan Nichols, from Hove, said: "We found the victim pinned under the cabin roof. It was blown off by the force of the explosion and landed back on top of him. He is very lucky to be alive.

"He was just about conscious and talking but did not have much of an idea what had happened.

"We lifted the canopy and other debris off him so the ambulance crew could get to him."

Other boat owners told how they were woken by the sound of the explosion and found wreckage scattered all over the wharf.

One, who lives with her partner and two children on a neighbouring boat, said: "I heard a very loud bang and saw a bright flash.

"I went out to look and heard Tim calling out but I could not see him because it was very dark. He was very lucky.

"Parts of the cabin were blown over our boat and there is debris all over the wharf."

An investigation into the cause of the explosion by fire brigade and Shoreham Port Authority staff got under way today.

The explosion happened just 50 metres from the entrance to the Texaco petrol depot and staff there joined in the investigation.

A manager from the terminal said: "We are concerned that an explosion has taken place so close to the terminal."

Nearby businesses said they had complained to Adur District Council and Shoreham Port Authority about people living on the boats.

Christine Wilmshurst, of furniture manufacturers Coach House Cabinets, said: "People are not supposed to live on the boats but they do.

"We have complained many times about the rubbish they dump on the wharf and the congestion their cars cause.

"Nothing has been done about it but now this has happened perhaps they will listen to us."

Mr Brooking was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital where today he was in a stable condition in intensive care.