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Crews still in attendance at scrap metal ship fire

Avon Fire and Rescue Service Three fire engines facing a large white ship which is pulled in at a dock. There is a large crane on the right of the ship.Avon Fire and Rescue Service
The blaze broke out as scrap metal was being loaded onto the ship

Fire crews are still in attendance at the scene of a large fire which broke out on a ship carrying scrap metal.

Avon Fire and Rescue crews were called to the RIJN Confidence at Royal Edward Dock in Avonmouth in Bristol at 11:47 BST on Wednesday.

It has been confirmed the fire has since been extinguished, but crews remain at the scene to check the temperature of the scrap metal on board every hour, using thermal imaging cameras.

Firefighters say this is to ensure there is no risk of reignition, considering the cause of the fire is still unknown.

Bill Michaelson The RJN Confidence ship sailing through the water. It is 179 metres long and 28 metres wide. The bottom is painted red and the midsection is blue. It is carrying a lot of cargo on it's deck. Bill Michaelson
No casualties have been reported by Avon Fire and Rescue Service

A spokesperson for Hellas Confidence Ship Management, which runs the ship, said "all crew members were accounted for" after the fire was detected within its cargo hold during loading.

Once the ship is confirmed to be safe, an investigation will launch into the cause of the fire.

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