Harwich pirate radio LV18 ship 'will bounce back' from fire

The LV18 lightship suffered "extensive smoke damage", its owner says

The owner of one of the last manned lightships that went up in flames in a suspected arson attack said he "won't be beaten".

Tony O'Neil from the Pharos Trust, which owns the LV18, said seeing it on fire was "absolutely devastating".

Crews were called to the Quay, Harwich, in Essex, at about 21:00 GMT on Friday.

The ship has been used for pirate radio projects in the past and was used in the filming of British comedy-drama The Boat That Rocked.

Essex Police said the incident was being treated as arson after a group of young people were reportedly seen leaving the area shortly after the fire started.

Firefighters fought what they described as "punishing conditions" to tackle the blaze.

Seven crews from across the county tackled the fire

Mr O'Neil said he was hoping to inspect the damage later on Monday.

"To see the thing burning was just devastating," he told BBC Essex. "But we will bounce back."

Mr O'Neil, who lives opposite the ship, said he would meet with all relevant authorities to assess the extent of the damage.

He said three of the cabins had been burnt out completely.

"It was so hot the potholes' glass melted," he added

Insurance assessors would be carrying out their investigation and assessment on Monday too, said Mr O'Neil.

"But the ship is upright, she's been up and down on the tide and she will soldier on. Our lantern will shine again," he said.

BBC Essex broadcasted from the LV18 lightship for a pirate radio anniversary in 2014

The trust has launched an online appeal to help raise funds for the repairs and refurbishment.

The boat was built in 1958 and the charity has spent 12 years restoring it.

BBC Essex marked 50 years of offshore pirate radio stations by broadcasting from the LV18 for seven days in April 2014.