Firefighters had to use a rowing boat while tackling a fire which broke out on Harwich's train ferry pier.

They spent three hours at the quayside and were assisted by lifeboatmen when they had to take to the sea to fight the blaze.

The alarm was raised just before 1am yesterday and it is thought the fire could have been caused by something which had been smouldering for some time.

Leading firefighter Les Nicoll, of Dovercourt Fire and Rescue Service, said the blaze started below the crane and began to spread underneath the pier itself.

He said: "There was a lifeboat on standby for safety for the crews because they were working above the water.

"Then, we had to send a couple of men in a rowing boat to go underneath the pier because it was spreading across the base."

Published Wednesday, September 8, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette