RESIDENTS described their shock as smoke and 'bright flashes' engulfed the skies around Barrow's shipyard during a major fire.

Two BAE workers were left needing hospital treatment following the blaze at Devonshire Dock Hall that started in the early hours of Wednesday.

Dozens of firefighters battled the flames inside the building as black smoke billowed into the air while alarms sounded.

Investigations have been ongoing to find out the how the fire started and assess the damage caused.

Residents near the site, who were initially told to stay in their homes, described the incident, which started before 1am.

(Image: Submitted)

Debbie Holliday, 37, who lives opposite the DDH, said she was woken by the alarm from the site and could see 'lots of smoke'.

She said: "It was quite thick and you could see the fire on the top of the building. I started to get more concerned when I saw flames on the roof.

"We just stayed inside and shut the windows.

"The children slept through it but I have the front bedroom. I could hear what sounded like fireworks as well as the alarm and could see bright flashes where the fire was.

"It lasted 45 minutes, or maybe more."

Donna Butler, 36, said: “My son came and got me and said that the BAE alarms were going off, so we went.

“It was a lot of black smoke, like really thick black smoke, and it was very loud.”

(Image: Donna Michelle Butler/@dees.gems.memorial)

She said a few police cars and emergency service vehicles were at the shipyard and police were asking people to stay in their homes.

Another resident, Jeff Holt, 43, said the fire 'looked pretty serious' and he could smell burning.

The care worker said: “My house is maybe a mile as the crow flies and as soon as I stepped outside I could smell the burning and smoke, that’s how intense it must have been at that time.”

Other neighbours said they slept through the dramatic scenes and learnt of the fire when they woke to phone calls from concerned friends and family members, or saw videos of it online.

One worker said he had been sent home from the site after turning up for his shift at 6am.

Michaelson Bridge was closed following the fire but it was reopened to traffic later in the morning.

Police said there was no nuclear risk from the fire.

(Image: Newsquest)

It was later confirmed that two workers taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation had been allowed to go home.

MP Michelle Scrogham said she had in touch with BAE and government ministers.  

She added: "I'm incredibly relieved to hear that those involved have now been allowed home from hospital. A huge thank you to our wonderful emergency services for their brave work overnight.

"Teams are now surveying the cause and any damage in this ongoing situation and rather than speculate, I will update once we know more."

Firefighters battled with the fire for several hours before moving onto dampening down in the afternoon.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “We are working closely with the emergency services and BAE Systems following a fire at the site in Barrow-in-Furness.

“We would like to thank the emergency services for their swift response and wish those who have required hospital treatment a quick recovery.”