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Tilbury Docks: Crews tackle fire on ship carrying scrap metal

Essex Fire and Rescue Service A fire engine at the Tilbury Docks because of a fire on a shipEssex Fire and Rescue Service
Fire crews were called to Tilbury Docks, on the River Thames, just after 20:00 GMT on Thursday

Firefighters attended the Port of Tilbury after a blaze on a ship carrying scrap metal.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service was called to the docks on the River Thames at 20:09 GMT on Thursday.

It said the fire was in the hold of the docked vessel and scrap metal was unloaded using a dockside crane.

The service said it worked with the ship's crew and emergency services to resolve the incident and firefighters left the scene at about midnight.

The East of England Ambulance Service said there were no injuries.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service Fire crews talking to partner agenciesEssex Fire and Rescue Service
Fire crews worked with the ship's crew and partner agencies to resolve the incident

The fire service said while firefighters worked to extinguish the flames, a crane was used to unload some scrap metal off of the boat to prevent the fire from spreading further.

It said that also helped to "avoid weighing the boat down more than necessary".

"A cause has not yet been identified but an investigation will be carried out to try to establish what started the fire," the fire brigade added.

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