Fire that consumed $30m navy ship could be fault of welding work

Millions of dollars of military hardware burned ferociously as HMAS Bundaberg sat high and dry beside the Brisbane River.

The 57-metre navy patrol boat was being refitted by civilian contractors when the blaze erupted deep within the belly of the ship, just before midday.

The flames quickly engulfed the vessel, worth about $30 million, sending black smoke spewing from the huge industrial shed.

Two contractors were overcome with smoke as the fire's intensity quickly grew.

More than 50 firefighters manning 15 specialty vehicles tackled the blaze.

But the origin of the fire, near the ship's generator, made controlling it tough.

“The main difficulty is accessing the fire in very hot, very confined spaces. We are fighting fire in an aluminium vessel which is always difficult,” Fire and Emergency Services’ John Watson said.

At the time of ignition that shed was filled with service crews.

It's understood some were deep within the ship conducted welding work.

Attention will now turn to how the fire started, and the costly damage it left behind.

There is speculation that welding work on board the vessel sparked the blaze, but the cause is yet to be established by Queensland Police investigators.

HMAS Bundaberg is an Armidale-class vessel used for border protection in the north of Australia.

Whether it can be salvaged to return to duty is not yet known.