Seven people managed to escape uninjured after their catamaran's engine caught fire while at sea.

Firefighters and Whitehaven Coastguard were called to Whitehaven harbour to deal with the dramatic blaze as the damaged boat returned.

Three fire engines and a Coastguard vehicle rushed to the scene at 12.40pm to deal with the fire in the engine bay. None of the passengers were injured and there were no environmental issues.

"We were tasked by CGOC Belfast Coastguard to reports of a 15m Diving Catamaran on fire off Whitehaven Harbour with seven persons on board," said a Coastguard spokesman.

"Team members were dispatched to vantage point to get a visual on the vessel. The vessel managed to self extinguish their port engine and return to harbour under their own power where they were met by Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and Coastguard Personnel."

Both St Bees and Workington Lifeboat crews were initially requested to assist but were later stood down as the vessel was inside the marina.

One hose reel and a covering jet were used to extinguish the fire and a thermal imaging camera was used to check it was completely out. Extinguishers and dry powder were also used at the incident.