Fire breaks out on underway ferry in English Channel

UK media outlet Sky News reports that a fire ignited on a passenger ferry as it was transiting the English Channel on Friday, March 3.

The Irish Ferries Ro-Pax vessel Isle of Innisfree was sailing from Dover to Calais when the blaze ignited in its engine room at around 17:30 local time on Friday.

UK and French authorities then deployed rescue boats and a tug to render assistance to the ferry. The fire was subsequently extinguished and the vessel dropped anchor to enable the crew to assess the extent of the damage.

No injuries have been reported among Isle of Innisfree‘s 94 passengers and the 89 crewmembers.

The vessel was later towed the rest of the way to Calais to allow Irish Ferries to conduct an investigation in conjunction with French authorities.