A ferry’s car deck had to be cleared when a van on board caught fire.

The vehicle’s driver and passenger noticed smoke coming out of all its sides when the Pride of Burgundy docked at Dover this morning.

The P&O Ferries crew made sure all other cars and lorries were driven off the ship and cooled the van by spraying it with water until firefighters arrived.

The van driver then took the vehicle onto the docks where firefighters tackled the blaze, finding the source of it to be in the contents at the back.

It was thought to be a piece of electrical or electronic equipment that had ignited.

Firefighter Roger Hadfield said: “The driver and passengers had particularly noticed that something from the back of the van was smouldering.

“The ferry crew kept the van doors closed as they cooled it down.

“We opened up the back of the vehicle and it was loaded with belongings, many of which were badly damaged but the van was still driveable.”

The Pride of Burgundy had docked at Berth 8 at Dover Eastern Docks and the fire brigade were called out at 9.10am.

The van, a Mercedes Sprinter, had been driven by two Lithuanian men all the way from their home country.

They were able to carry on with their journey into Britain.