Sunday, December 29, 2013

People taken off fire-hit ferry

North Sea passenger ferry hit by fire

A number of people have been taken off a ferry by RAF helicopters in the North Sea 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, in East Yorkshire.

Some 946 passengers and 27 crew had been on board when the fire - since put out - started at about 22:00 GMT.

Humberside Police said it was thought a passenger had set fire to a cabin.

It is not clear at this stage if the fire was started deliberately or accidentally.

Humber Coastguard 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.

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