COASTGUARD officials are still keeping watch on a ship docked in Kent which has been at the centre of two dramas in the past few days.

The Latvian freighter Sava Lake came into Dover docks last Friday night after two crew members were found dead.

Their bodies were removed, and the ship remained berthed at the Western Docks, alongside the cruise terminal, while investigations were carried out.

On Monday, 30 firefighters, including a number of specialist teams, went to the docks after receiving the call from Maritime and Coastguard Agency inspectors at 2.36pm that the cargo was overheating.

Kent Fire and Rescue watch manager Tony Northcott said the cargo in the ship's hold, made up of iron filings, had a heat-emitting reaction to the air, causing the temperature to rise to an "unacceptable level".

An external cooling barrier was set up around the ship to prevent a blaze starting and regular checks were made throughout Monday night by fire crews using thermal image cameras.

The fire crews left the scene this morning, and Maritine and Coastguard Agency officials are now keeping watch on the ship.

The Sava Lake was on her way from Denmark to Portugal when she came into Dover on Friday.

Mr Northcott said: "Our specialist hazardous response team from Maidstone attended because there were fears over dangerous chemicals but this was ruled out."

A police spokeswoman said there were seven crew on board the 90 metre cargo ship, which was carrying ferrous metals.

"There were no hazardous substances and no risk to the public from the cargo," she said.

"Kent Police and the Marine Accident Investigation Bureau are carrying out a joint investigation on behalf of the coroner following two unexplained deaths on board."