Update: More than 40 firefighters tackle cargo ship blaze at Cliff Quay, Ipswich

FIRE crews have now put out a blaze on a cargo ship at Ipswich docks.

More than 40 firefighters were scrambled to tackle flames onboard ‘Accum’ at Cliff Quay.

It is understood there was around 300 cars onboard, as well as wooden boxes and turbines.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, who were first alerted around 3.50pm, initially sent five fire appliances. But they later increased this to eight.

Firefighters, wearing breathing appartus, found the source of the blaze on the lower deck of the ship. It was extinguished by 6pm.

It is believed ‘Accum’ - which is 86-metres long and 12-metres wide - has been at Ipswich docks since December 2.

The ship, which was built in 2010, is registered in Gibraltar.

The dock is owned by Associated British Ports (ABP) which operates both the West Bank terminal and Cliff Quay.

Cliff Quay handles and stores liquid and dry bulks and has 67,583 sq m of covered storage.

There is a daily freight ferry service linking Ipswich with the Port of Rotterdam.

The container terminal is equipped to handle all types of containers.

No-one from ABP was available for comment last night.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service initially scrambled five fire crews to the scene, including engines from Princes Street, Ipswich; Ipswich East; and Holbrook.

But fire chiefs later increased this to eight, drafting in two further crews from Ipswich East and another from Needham Market.

Dave Pedersen, group commander at Ipswich East, said the fire covered a four-metre square area on the lower deck.

He said sparks from some welding being carried out on the middle deck dropped down and sparked a fire in some wooden crates.

He added: “The access for the crews was incredibly difficult, which made working conditions very treacherous.”

The fire was put out by around 5.30pm.

Mr Pedersen said crews were helped by the ship’s on-board firefighting system, which flooded the decks with carbon dioxide.

He also paid tribute to ship surveyor Peter King, from Felixstowe-based Seden Clarke, whose “invaluable professional and technical advice” helped firefighters quickly locate the fire.

The 2,415-tonne cargo ship, which had around 100 vehicles on board including cars, vans, diggers and lorry tractor units, was due to set sail for Cyprus today.