MIAMI -- Miami and Miami-Dade County fire crews battled to put out what started as a small fire on board a freighter on the Miami River and quickly spread to engulf the entire ship Saturday night.

The blaze started on the 200-foot freighter Atlantic, which was docked at at 2947 NW North River Drive.

The first unit arrived on the scene around 8 p.m. The smoke was so thick, firefighters had a hard time seeing. At one point a firefighter had to be rescued after falling into the river.

The cargo, which included 6,000 gallons of fuel, cars, bicycles and mattresses helped feed the flames further, making it particularly difficult to extinguish.

All nine crew members who lived on the ship evacuated safely. They were being assisted by the Red Cross.

The Atlantic was scheduled to leave for Haiti on Sunday.

Fire investigators don't know sparked the blaze.