A loud bang has shaken homes in Felixstowe after a gas tank exploded at the port.

https://twitter.com/JamieVersey/status/1215925546129022976

Pictures and video have emerged of firefighters dowsing the flames at Felixstowe docks.

People living in nearby Trimley St Mary said they heard an "almighty bang" that sounded like a sonic boom or explosion. Homes were shaken several miles away.

A spokesman for the Port of Felixstowe said a welder's van caught fire after gas canisters on top of it exploded, but nobody was injured.

He added: "The cause of the fire is not clear at this time, but nobody was hurt. The gas tank exploded, which explains the loud noise."

WATCH: Dramatic footage captures explosion and fireball at Felixstowe docks

One person said: "It shook the house...an almighty bang - sounded like an explosion."

While another added: "I could hear it in Trimley...huge bang. Wonder what's going on."

Someone in the Trimley area added: "Just before 9am there was a huge explosion which seemed to be coming from the port area.

"It was loud - loud enough to shock us and the tiles on our roof rattled. We hope everyone is ok."

Another person said they heard the explosion in Brightwell, which is seven miles away.

Three fire engines, including one from Felixstowe docks, were sent to the scene.

Two crews from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service have now left the docks, with an investigation expected to be carried out later today by the port's own fire service.

Officers from the Health and Safety Executive are also carrying out their own enquiries.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said: "Three gas cylinders exploded, we attended along with the Felixstowe Docks fire service. The HSE is also on site. One man was assessed by the port's ambulance service and treated for shock. No-one was injured."