Isle of Innisfree ferry: Blaze breaks out on boat carrying 183 people in English Channel as lifeboats scramble to scene
A FIRE broke out on a ferry carrying almost 200 people across the Channel.
Rescuers scrambled three lifeboats out to the ship in the middle of the 21-mile stretch after the ship set from Dover, Kent.
The Irish Ferries boat the Isle of Innisfree was carrying 183 people – 94 passengers and 89 crew – across the English Channel when a blaze erupted on board.
It was contained in the engine room and has been extinguished, Irish Ferries said.
A spokesman told The Sun: “This evening the crew onboard its ship the Isle of Innisfree were alerted to a small fire in the ship’s engine room while the ship was sailing from Dover to Calais.
“The ship is carrying 94 passengers and 89 crew and all are safe and accounted for.
“The Coastguard has been informed and despatched three RNLI lifeboats as a precautionary measure.
“The vessel is currently safely at anchor, and as the situation is stable, no emergency assistance is expected to be required.”
A statement from Irish Ferries added: “Irish Ferries crews train regularly to deal with incidents at sea, and the company has put its training into action and the fire has been extinguished.
“Passengers booked on imminent Isle of Innisfree sailings will be transferred to alternative sailings.
“Irish Ferries would like to sincerely apologise to all its passengers for the disruption to their journeys.”
The Coastguard said no injuries were reported.
A spokesman said: “The vessel has confirmed that the fire has been extinguished but it is experiencing technical issues.
“All passengers and crew are accounted for and no injuries have been reported.”