Crew on burning fishing boat off WA saved

Fifteen people have been rescued from a burning Taiwanese fishing boat off the West Australian coast.

A rescue plane arrived on the scene, about 670km west of Carnarvon, about 7.30am (AEST) on Wednesday after the boat's distress beacon was activated just before midnight.

A life raft was dropped to the boat's crew while vessels including an UK oil tanker and a Greek-flagged container ship rushed to the scene.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said the tanker arrived about 10am, after which the container ship was told it was no longer needed.

A fishing vessel in the area also went to the aid of the distressed crew.

"No injuries were reported and all people on board have been accounted for," AMSA said.

"The rescued people will be taken to the fishing vessel's next port in Indonesia."