These dramatic pictures show a hair-raising fire at the Port of Dover.

Photographs from bystanders capture a thick column of smoke at Dover Eastern Docks.

One close-up picture reveals a lorry being ravaged by flames.

It was also reported that check-ins for ferry passengers were temporarily suspended as the drama unfolded.

Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at 12.46pm today and four fire engines were sent out.

Crews finished snuffing it out in an hour.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Firefighters have tackled a lorry alight at Dover Eastern Docks. Crews wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the flames using a pair of high-pressure hose reel jets.

"The lorry's tractor unit was completely destroyed, while the trailer was severely damaged by the fire.

"There are no reports of any injuries and the cause of the fire is not known."

A Port of Dover spokesman: "The Port of Dover can confirm that it has dealt with a vehicle fire within the port.

" The port is now fully operational and returned to normal business.”

The news comes after huge delays at the port yesterday as families headed off on their summer holidays.

Read more: All the latest news from Dover