FIREFIGHTERS joined crew members to battle a large fire on a ship in Tilbury Docks this evening (Wednesday, 6 December).

Six crews were called to the scene at 5.43pm and on arrival reported that approximately 5,000 tonnes of scrap metal was alight on the ship. 

The fire was contained to the ship's hold and firefighters worked alongside the ship's crew and site staff to remove the metal from the hold and extinguish the fire in sections. 

The fire has been extinguished and two crews remained on scene to monitor hotspots and cool the scene. 

Fire. service group manager Mark Eaglestone said: "A big thank you to the ship's crew and site staff who remained on scene helping us to extinguish this fire as quickly as possible."