Fire Breaks Out on Channel Ferry: Three Lifeboats Launch Rescue
A fire erupted on board the Isle of Innisfree, an Irish Ferries vessel sailing from Dover to Calais. The blaze started in the engine room while the ferry was mid-Channel.
Officials swiftly launched three lifeboats from Dungeness, Dover, and Ramsgate, alongside a French salvage tug. Thankfully, the fire has been contained, with no injuries reported among the 94 passengers and 89 crew onboard.
All Aboard Safe as Fire Extinguished
The Coastguard confirmed all passengers and crew are accounted for. “No injuries have been reported,” they said, adding the ferry is currently anchored in the Channel and facing technical difficulties following the fire.
Irish Ferries praised their crew’s handling of the emergency. A company statement read: “Crews are regularly trained to deal with incidents at sea, and the company has put its training to use, extinguishing the fire.”
Passenger Travel Plans Disrupted
Passengers scheduled for the 19:25 Calais-Dover crossing will be transferred to alternative sailings. Irish Ferries apologised for the inconvenience, saying: “We sincerely apologise to all passengers for the disruption to their journeys.”
- Fire broke out in engine room of Isle of Innisfree ferry
- 183 people on board – no injuries reported
- Three Kent lifeboats and French tug dispatched
- Fire extinguished; ferry anchored mid-Channel
- Technical issues ongoing; Coastguard on standby
- Passengers to be rerouted to alternative crossings
The incident remains under supervision as officials monitor the situation closely.
