Ferry catches fire in Channel with 183 people on board as lifeboats scramble

03 March 2023 , 20:27

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Passengers were quickly sent out to assembly points on the Irish Ferries boat (stock photo) (Image: Hadyn Iball / North Wales Live)

A fire broke out on a ferry carrying almost 200 people across the Channel as rescuers scrambled lifeboats to the scene.

Emergency services raced out to the ship in the middle of the 21-mile stretch to save passengers between Dover and Calais.

The Isle of Innisfree was almost halfway across the Channel when the blaze started in the engine room.

It is understood all those travelling on the vessel are safe with the fire on the boat contained and now extinguished.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution told the Mirror tonight: "I can confirm RNLI lifeboats from Ramsgate, Dover and Dungeness have launched to a fire onboard a ferry mid-way between Dover and Calais."

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There was a fire on board the Irish Ferrier boat between Dover and Calais (PA)

A tugboat from France was also despatched alongside the lifeboats from England.

A spokesman for Irish Ferries said: "Irish Ferries can confirm that this evening, the crew on board 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.

"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 onto Isle of Innisfree sailings will be transferred to alternative ships, the firm said.

They added: "The ship is carrying 94 passengers and 89 crew and all are safe and accounted for.

Alongside the lifeboats from England, a tugboat from France was also despatched (AFP via Getty Images)

"The Coastguard has been informed and is ready to provide assistance if required. The vessel is currently safely at anchor."

A statement from HM Coastguard read "HM Coastguard was alerted just after 17:30 today (3rd March) to a fire in the engine room on a ferry that was mid-way from Dover to Calais. 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.

"RNLI Lifeboats from Dungeness, Dover and Ramsgate have been sent along with a French tug."

The rescue is concluded following the small fire.

Abigail O'Leary