A SERIOUS fire has taken hold at the base of the last remaining crane at Hunterston terminal.

Flames could be seen at the bottom of the crane this morning.

Smoke could be seen billowing from the terminal at around 8.55am with large black clouds rising into the sky.

Eye-witness Todd Ferguson said: "It looked fierce, but seems to be under control now.

"It seems to be at base of the yellow crane."

The two Hunterston cranes have been undergoing decommissioning in recent months by Peel Ports as the port prepares for a future without coal. It comes on the same day as a new masterplan for the future of the port was launched with Peel Ports outlining a range of different industries who could take advantage of the site from aquaculture to a gas power station.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: "We are currently on the scene of a crane fire on the Hunterston Terminal.

"Four pumps are at the scene and are working to extinguish the fire.

"There are no injuries."

The fire has now been extinguished.