Ship on fire in Hull dock - shops and roads closed

Crews from Humberside Fire and Rescue are tackling a blaze on a ship docked in Hull.

The service said it was called to Albert Dock at 10:22 BST and four fire engines, an aerial platform, Hull Coastguard Rescue Team and an ambulance are in attendance.

The fire started in the cargo hold of the vessel, which was carrying scrap metal, and people were on board but have all been accounted for, a spokesperson for the fire service added.

Local residents and businesses have been advised to keep their windows and doors closed. A plume of smoke is visible across the city centre and shops and roads have been closed.

Associated British Ports, which runs Albert Dock, said: "We are currently aware of a fire on a vessel in the location of a tenanted area, and we are assisting the fire service with the response."

Dale Baxter, a BBC reporter at the scene, identified the vessel as the Altay - a bulk carrier which has been docked in the city since 23 June.

He said: "It is quite remarkable. There is an enormous plume of smoke pouring from the ship.

"It looks like it is coming from near the bridge and the wind direction is pushing it towards the city centre.

"The smell is awful."

According to Vessel Finder, a website that tracks the status of ships, Altay was built in 2006 and flies under the flag of the Marshall Islands.

Humberside Police has confirmed English Street, Wellington Street, Humber Dock, Kingston Retail Park, Marina and Jackson Street have all been closed as a result of the incident.

Hull City Council confirmed events for the Big Malarkey Festival being held at East Park had been evacuated as a precaution.

The authority confirmed 355 people were on site.

The children's literary festival has been holding sessions for local schoolchildren ahead of public events on Saturday and Sunday.

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