Portsmouth fire: Fire on ship triggers rescue mission at sea as smoke billows in sky

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A huge fire on a ship has reportedly sparked an emergency response off the Portsmouth coast.

The Coast Guard was called at around 3:20 p.m. to reports of a fire in the ship’s engine room.

Black smoke billowing from a ship was captured in images posted to social media this afternoon.

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “At approx. 3.20pm today (June 19) HM Coastguard received a MAYDAY alert reporting a fire in the engine room of a vessel with two people on board in the East Solent.

“Bembridge and Gosport lifeboats were dispatched and both people were evacuated from the ship and the ship was towed to an anchorage.

“Both Hampshire Fire and Rescue and the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service are present and a fire brigade tug proceeds whilst all ships have been advised to keep clear.”

The Mirror has reached out to the RNLI and Hampshire Constabulary for comment.

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