Fire Hits P&O Ferry ‘Pride of Canterbury’ [VIDEO]

A P&O ferry suffered a fire onboard Monday as it approached the port of Calais in Northern France.

All passengers safely disembarked from the Pride of Canterbury in Calais after the fire broke out at approximately 8 a.m. local time.

Amateur video filmed by a passenger onboard shows thick black smoke billowing from one of the lower decks. The passenger who filmed the video told reporters that the Captain notified passengers that there was a problem with the starboard engine and they were awaiting arrival of tugs to help the ship into port.

The fire reportedly originated in the engine room.

A statement from P&O Ferries said that the fire was extinguished by the ship’s fire suppression system and nobody was injured. Passengers disembarked normally and the Master declared the incident closed at 09.00hrs, according to the statement. The statement added that at least one round trip has been cancelled as damage is assessed.

The ferry was carrying 337 passengers and 119 crew, according to reports.

The Pride of Canterbury is a cross-Channel ferry operated by P&O Ferries and sails between Dover and Calais.

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