Shocking pictures have shown a blaze erupt on a container ship in Hull - with locals complaining of smelling thick black smoke.

Firefighters rushed to the Albert Dock following reports of a blaze on a vessel this afternoon. Hull City Council have announced that Kingston Retail Park has been shut in response to the incident.

Residents have been urged to close their windows following complaints that the stench has reached as far as the city centre. One person said it "absolutely stinks", while others explained the fumes have made them cough.

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Another witness commented: "I've been smelling every plug socket and computer at work wondering if it’s in my building. I hope everyone is okay on the docks."

A third said: "I''ve just had to close all my windows. Wondered what the burning smell was." An ABP spokesperson said: "We are currently aware of a fire on a vessel in Albert Dock in the location of a tenanted area, and we are assisting the fire service with the response."

Humberside Fire & Rescue Service initally dispatched four fire engines. A spokesperson told Hull Live: "We currently have four fire engines and an aerial ladder platform in attendance at an incident involving a fire on a bulk cargo vessel at Albert Dock.

The fire service issued an update and said: "Smoke from the ongoing incident is drifting into Hull city centre. Please keep windows and doors closed, and be mindful if you are out and about in the city centre."

A spokesperson for the council said on Twitter: "Commercial Road and Kingston Street have been closed due to the cargo ship fire at Albert Dock. Kingston Retail Park will also be closing due to the smoke. Please avoid the area, and keep windows and doors closed."

The local authority have since announced several more road closures. They are: Albert Dock, Odeon Cinema, Ice Arena, English St, Jackson St Humber Dock, St Wellington St.