Fire erupts on former navy ship

The 12,000 tonne ship arrived in Liverpool in September

Up to 60 firefighters tackled a blaze on board the former Royal Navy ship Intrepid, berthed in Liverpool.

The former assault ship, which is being dismantled at Canada Dry Dock, caught fire at about 1110 GMT.

Fourteen fire appliances were sent to the scene and smoke could be seen for miles around, the fire service said.

The 12,000 tonne vessel arrived in Liverpool last September, but some dock workers refused to work on the project for health and safety reasons.

Merseyside Fire Service said the fire was contained in the lower deck area of the vessel.

Hard work

Area Manager Chris Case said: "Thankfully ship fires are rare. Because of the nature of the vessels they present additional risks.

"The build up of heat and smoke is far greater than in a building and that makes the job more difficult for the firefighters.

"They worked hard to contain and extinguish this fire in arduous conditions."

When Intrepid arrived last year its owner, Leavesley International, said it would comply with strict guidelines while dismantling her for recycling.

The firm secured both Liverpool City Council planning permission and the Environment Agency's Waste Management Licence.

Intrepid was built in 1964, decommissioned in 1991 and earmarked for disposal in 1999.