Australian Navy Ship Up in Flames

An Australian Navy ship has been extensively damaged by fire in Brisbane.

The blaze engulfed HMAS Bundaberg, which was dry docked in a boat shed at a Hemmant shipyard near the Brisbane River on Monday. The navy patrol boat was being refitted by civilian contractors when the fire erupted.

Australia Navy patrol boat HMAS Bundaberg goes up in flames http://t.co/1C3XPyanlX @TheresaAFallon @SecurityScholar pic.twitter.com/zoAAKfp1ZV

— Scott Cheney-Peters (@SCheneyPeters) August 11, 2014

The origin point of the fire, near the ship's generator, made controlling it difficult. In an already very hot and confined space, the vessel is also made out of aluminum.

Firefighters were alerted to the blaze just before noon. About 50 of them were deployed and it took more than three hours to bring the fire under control.

Update: Navy reps have arrived at Brisbane ship yard where HMAS Bundaberg ablaze @7NewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/fPWeWBoTH7

— Peter Doherty (@PeterDoherty7) August 11, 2014

At least two civilian contractors were treated for smoke inhalation, but no navy crew were injured. At the time of ignition, that shed was filled with service crews. It was also reported that some were deep within the ship conducted welding work.

The cause of the fire is not yet known. There is speculation that welding work on board the vessel sparked the blaze, but this has not been confirmed by Queensland Police investigators.

The 57-meter HMAS Bundaberg is an Armidale-class vessel used for border protection in the north of Australia. It is still being determined if the $30 million ship, including its millions in military hardware, can be salvaged to return to duty.