DOCK workers have told of the dramatic moment when dozens of firefighters tackled a blaze on a ship at a Southampton marina.

More than 30 firefighters were called to Ocean Quay in Northam when the fire broke out on a 100m-long vessel while contractors were carrying out a multimillion pound refurbishment.

Now construction workers have praised emergency services for their quick response in averting a potential disaster.

The drama unfolded on the former grain ship the Karissa, which is docked in the Belvidere Road marina on the banks of the River Itchen while it is being converted into a dredger.

The fire broke out on a column of scaffolding erected inside the ship – forcing a team of 22 workers to flee.

A thick plume of black smoke hung in the sky as all three emergency services rushed to the scene.

Chris Walker, a painter who was working on a nearby boat and took several dramatic photographs said: “The smoke was really thick and black.

“There were about 20 men onboard and they had to get off. I’ve not seen anything like that before.

"I thought the ship was going to go up.”

Seven fire engines arrived including crews from St Mary’s, Redbridge, Eastleigh, Gosport and Cosham, plus an environmental protection unit from Romsey fire station.

They used two breathing apparatus and a water jet to put out the flames and four crews remained for almost an hour damping it down.

Dan Philips, another painter on neighbouring ship Alicia, said: “We saw black smoke billowing overhead. A huge number of fire engines arrived but they got it under control really quickly.

“It’s amazing how well they did – especially on a ship like that.”

No-one was hurt and the damage was restricted to a series of wooden scaffolding planks which were subsequently removed and the structure made safe.

The team of electricians, welders and platers were able to return to the ship soon afterwards to continue working.

It is believed that the fire started when sparks from welders ignited the wood.

A spokesman for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “There was scaffolding on board the ship that caught alight rather than the vessel itself.

“The fire was soon under control and we needed no further assistance.”

The ship, which weighs more than 30,000 tonnes has been stationed in the marina for nine months and is due to complete the refit by the end of next month.