Natasha Kaplinsky’s young daughter suffers severe burns after explosion turns family’s boat into a ‘fireball’ [Details]

TV newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky’s young daughter suffered severe burns after a horrific explosion turned the family’s boat into a fireball, it was reported last night.

The presenter, 45, was also injured in the blast – believed to have been caused by leaking petrol fumes – while on holiday in Corfu.

She, eight-year-old Angelica and a relative were rescued by fishermen who helped put out the blaze and towed them to shore.

Angelica bore the brunt of the blast. Her condition was so serious that she was flown back to the UK for medical treatment.

Investigators are looking into how the boat had a petrol leak which then ignited off the Greek island.

A port source told The Sun: “The girl suffered serious burns. Ms Kaplinsky and a man, thought to be the girl’s grandad, suffered lighter wounds.

“At first the girl was rushed to hospital in Corfu Town with burns to her face and hands.

“Her mother and grandfather were treated at a private clinic.

It was then decided to fly them home.”

Natasha, husband Justin Bower, 45, son Arlo, nine, Angelica and two other relatives were rocked by the blast aboard the Plumbago Go last Friday.

Angelica was treated over the weekend. The family’s travel insurance firm then arranged for a private jet.

Angelica is still being treated at a UK hospital. Her condition is not life threatening, it was reported last night.

It is thought the damage to the boat is only superficial despite the blast.

The source added: “The explosion caused about £350 worth of damage.

“They had obviously not been taking care of the boat as a service should have prevented the problems.

“A petrol leak caused the engine to break down and triggered the blast.”

Natasha owns a five-bed mansion on the island called Plumbago — like the boat.

Corfu Port Authority confirmed: “Three people were injured after a fire on a boat.

“The vessel suffered a mechanical failure which caused a fire in the engine room, which was immediately extinguished by the people on the boat.”

Natasha won the first series of Strictly in 2004. In 2007 Channel 5 made her Britain’s highest-paid newsreader by luring her from the BBC in a £1million-a-year deal.

Months later she fell pregnant with Arlo. She turned down a £500,000 magazine deal to sell images of the boy, instead distributing them for free.

In 2012 she told how she keeps her children grounded by telling them about a South African boy with HIV she met on a Save the Children trip.

A spokesman for Natasha said last night: “Natasha and her family were involved in an accident in Corfu.

“They came home early to receive treatment and are making a good recovery at home.”