A MASSIVE fire has broken out in a shed in Brisbane where a Navy patrol boat was undergoing a refit.

Defence officials confirmed the HMAS Bundaberg caught on fire just before noon.

Smoke billowed from the shed and could be seen for miles.

Fire crews were called to Barku Court in Hemmant around 11.45am.

Assistant Commissioner Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFRS) John Watson said 55 fire fighters were on scene fighting the blaze with specialist and aerial appliances.

“The main difficulties we are facing is accessing the fire because its very hot in very, very confined spaces,” Mr Watson said.

“We’re fighting a fire in an aluminium vessel which is difficult to get into and ships, by their nature, are well sealed.

Emergency crews were advised of the fire after an alarm was activated and arrived on scene shortly after to extensive black smoke and a 56 metre HMAS Bundaberg consumed by flames.

PeterDoherty7 BREAKING: HMAS Bundaberg - or what is left of her after a catastrophic ship yard fire in Brisbane pic.twitter.com/L8sBXud1MJ — SEQ incidents (@SEQincidents) August 11, 2014

The fire is contained to the large docking shed but smoke was threatening a nearby vessel.

“We are making good progress in fighting the fire and we expect it to be resolved but there will be extensive damage to the vessel,” Mr Watson said.

It is understood the HMAS Bundaberg was valued at around $54 million and damages will most likely see the vessel written off.

The fire was located around 10 metres in from the stern of the ship in the generator area.

The boat had been dry docked for refit and reparations at the time of the blaze.

JUST IN: A shipyard worker has been taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation from the Hemmant dock fire #9News pic.twitter.com/JaACcFDr7d — Nine News Brisbane (@9NewsBrisbane) August 11, 2014

Luckily there were no injuries despite reports of around 50 people working on the site.

A man in his 30s has been treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation, a Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said.

HMAS Bundaberg is one of a number of Armidale Class Patrol Boats, which are highly capable and versatile warships capable of conducting a wide range of tasks.

The vessel is 56.8 metres long and can reach speeds of 25 knots or 46.3km/h.

Its armoury includes one 25mm Rafael M242 Bushmaster gun and two 12.7mm machine guns, according to the Australian navy’s website.