GREENWICH, England, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The fire that gutted Britain's historic Cutty Sark sailing ship was caused by a vacuum cleaner, an investigation into the blaze determined.
The accidental May 2007 fire aboard the 19th century clipper docked in Greenwich caused about $20 million in damage, The Daily Telegraph reported Tuesday.
While the industrial vacuum had been left on during the weekend by renovation workers, Metropolitan Police singled out two security guards for criticism, saying they were negligent in failing to carry out a fire check and had "put their feet up" up for the night, the British newspaper said.
"Had they patrolled properly that night, we believe the effects of the fire could have been prevented," Detective Chief Inspector Dave Garwood said. "They did not do the job they were paid to do."
