North Sea passenger ferry hit by fire on board
A number of people have been taken off a ferry by RAF helicopters in the North Sea, near the East Yorkshire coast, after a fire broke out on board.
Sqn Ldr Dave Webster said at least four people suffering from smoke inhalation had been winched off the MS King Seaways ferry, 30 miles north-east of Flamborough Head.
Some 946 passengers and 27 crew were on board the ferry.
Humber Coastguard was called at 22:00 GMT. The fire has been put out.
A spokesman put the numbers who had been airlifted to hospital in Scarborough to be treated for smoke inhalation at seven crew members and one passenger.
Two RAF helicopters were sent to the area from Leconfield, near Beverley.
Sqn Ldr Webster said that when the RAF was called for assistance at 22:40 GMT, it was initially thought 23 people would need to be winched to safety but that figure had been downgraded.
RAF crew had lifted those affected off the ferry within an hour.
Two lifeboats sent from Bridlington and Filey to help with the rescue operation have since been stood down, the RNLI tweeted.
Humberside Police said it was thought a passenger had set fire to a cabin, but it is not clear if it was deliberate or accidental.
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