A DRIVER has escaped from a fire at the top of a 50ft crane at Southampton Docks.

The incident happened in a yard near Dock Gate 20 owned by DP World where a straddle carrier - used to transport move containers - caught fire at around midnight.

Firefighters faced tackling the severe fire which had taken hold at the top of the equipment more than 50ft up and involved a tank of diesel, hydraulic oil and electrical equipment.

It took an hour and a half to put out the flames and the top of the carrier was severely damaged.

Fortunately the cab driver smelt smoke and immediately got down from the cab, which was just below the fire, by climbing down a ladder and was unhurt.

The straddle carriers is used to transport containers around the docks or on and off ships.

A firefighter at the scene said he understood it had been working at the time of the fire and had just moved one container and was about to pick up another.

He said it was visible from far away as firefighters entered the docks.

Workers managed to move the equipment away from other equipment or containers to prevent the fire spreading.

Work was able to continue at the dockside around 100m away.

Fire engines from Redbridge and St Mary's and an aerial ladder platform were involved and used a hose.

The cause could be an electrical fault and is being treated as accidental, a firefighter said.