Ship's crew hospitalised in WA after fire

Two crewmen have suffered smoke inhalation from a fire on a bulk carrier berthed in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

The blaze started in the engine room of the Panama-registered MV Marigold, moored at Finucane Island, on Sunday afternoon.

The two crewmen, from Myanmar, were treated at a local hospital.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigators are on their way to the ship and are expected to take several days interviewing crew and shore-based witnesses.

A spokesman said the ATSB had received preliminary information about the incident from the Korean ship operators.

"We've had a look at it and decided on the basis of what we were told that it would benefit from a safety investigation," he told AAP.

The spokesman said it appeared the fire started in the turbo charger for one of three generators that were run to pump out ballast water when the ship was moored.

The ship's engine room has been flooded with fire suppressant and is now reliant on shore power.

The spokesman said the bulk carrier may be taken out to anchorage.