A journalist who has researched the Titanic and its disastrous end for the past 30 years claims the ship’s hull was weakened by flames, meaning a minor iceberg collision was turned into the major catastrophe we know today.

“The official Titanic inquiry branded [the sinking] as an act of God,” said Senan Molony.

“This isn’t a simple story of colliding with an iceberg and sinking.

“It’s a perfect storm of extraordinary factors coming together: fire, ice and criminal negligence.”

The Irish journalist and author believes the fire had been smoldering in the White Star Line ship’s hull since they left Belfast in April 1912.

By the time the fire was put out four days later, Mr Molony believes the steel hull was made brittle and weak by the 1,000C heat.

The collision with an iceberg on the ship’s maiden voyage to America was enough to tear the ship’s hull apart, causing the Titanic to sink.

he tragedy in April 1912 claimed the lives of more than 1,500 people.

“Since 1912, there has been this myth of a 300ft gash that opened the ship up but when the wreckage was examined people were perplexed because they couldn’t find anything like it,” he added.

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In the Channel 4 programme he points to dark marks on the ship’s hull seen in a number of recently auctioned photographs.

“Nobody has investigated these marks before or dwelled upon them,” he said.

“It totally changes the narrative.

Mr Molony will present his theory about the disaster in a documentary, titled Titanic: The New Evidence, which will be broadcast on New Year’s Day.

“The fire was known about and briefly addressed at the inquiry, but it was played down.

“She should never have been put to sea but the Titanic has already been delayed a couple of times and was committed to leave on April 10th.”