RRS Sir David Attenborough: Firefighters attend small blaze

Harwich is the home port for the RRS Sir David Attenborough research ship

Firefighters have attended a small blaze in an electrical room on board the RRS Sir David Attenborough.

Crews were called to the Harwich International Port in Essex at about 08:20 BST.

An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "On arrival firefighters confirmed the fire was out and inspected the area to make sure it was safe."

No-one was harmed and the blaze was recorded as an accident.

A spokesman at the British Antarctic Survey, which runs the ship, said: "The emergency services confirmed the safe resolution of the situation, which was quickly dealt with by the vessel's emergency response team and no further support was required.

"All crew and passengers are well and no-one required medical assistance."

Scientists on board RRS Sir David Attenborough carried out trials in Antarctica last winter

RRS Sir David Attenborough is operated by the British Antarctic Survey and has been used as part of trials along the Scottish coast during the summer months.

The 129m-long (423ft) ship has been scheduled to return to Antarctica at the end of this month for its third season at the South Pole.

More than 120,000 people chose to name the vessel Boaty McBoatface in a public vote in 2016 - but then-science minister Jo Johnson said there were "more suitable" options.