Vessel anchored at Portland Port catches fire

Portland Port's harbour office received a call from the vessel just before 10pm to say that an excavator in one of its cargo holds had caught fire.

Portland Port Police officers, along with Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue and South Western Ambulance Service attended the fire.

The fire was fortunately contained to an item of plant machinery in a hold of the vessel.

One person received minor injuries and received care by South Western Ambulance paramedics on the scene for smoke inhalation.

The recovery of the plant machinery took place this morning (29).

Portland Port Police officers said there has been no contamination of the harbours waters.

Inspector Grant of Portland Port Police praised the rapid response of the combined emergency services and the quick thinking of staff on site.

Two crews from Portland, two from Dorchester and three from Weymouth attended the incident.

Eight firefighters wearing breathing apparatus worked to extinguish the fire using equipment on board the vessel.

A spokesman from Portland Port said they received the call at 21.47pm but the fire was rapidly brought under control and extinguished.

They added that Portland Port would like to thank everyone who attended and assisted in extinguishing the fire.