Large clouds of black smoke could be seen for miles as The Cuyahoga burned in Ashtabula Harbor.

Area residents jammed viewing areas taking photos and shooting video with cell phones at Point Park and the old CSX building on East 6th Street near the bridge over the railyard.

The fire was called in to the Ashtabula Fire Department around 1:20 p.m., said Lt. Steve Chase of the Ashtabula Fire Department. He said the 630-foot ship was billowing black smoke when firefighters arrived on the scene.

“They had a cargo hold catch on fire,” Chase said.