A rescue mission was underway this morning as crews battled to save three people trapped on a burning boat. Coastguards from Lowestoft and Felixstowe, and the lifeboat from Cromer, were called out after the crew of a tug radioed for help because the engine room was on fire.

A rescue mission was underway this morning as crews battled to save three people trapped on a burning boat.

Coastguards from Lowestoft and Felixstowe, and the lifeboat from Cromer, were called out after the crew of a tug radioed for help because the engine room was on fire.

Luckily the three crew of the 30-metre boat, which caught fire about two miles north east of Cromer at 8am, were saved and watched the drama unfurl from the lifeboat.

But still more manpower was needed to fight the flames so the Maritime Incident Response Group was brought in by rescue helicopter while a cargo ship also helped.

The Cromer in shore lifeboat also had to be launched to deliver more fire-fighting equipment and another 12 men.

By 11.30am the fire was put out but the hold of HT Blade was so hot crews continued to dowse the tug with water for several more hours.

While the start of the fire is unknown it was large enough to destroy the runners, which means it will have to be towed back to land.