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FERRY FIRE

Isle of Wight ferry fire sends plumes of thick black smoke in the air above the Solent

The Wightlink ferry was on its way to the Isle of Wight this morning when part of the vessel went up in flames

Gemma Mullin

Published: 10:08, 19 Jan 2017
Updated: 13:20, 19 Jan 2017

A FERRY has caught on fire while sailing across the Solent sending plumes of thick black smoke into the air.

The vessel was transporting 65 people, including a number of cars, to the Isle of Wight when it went up in flames this morning.

Staff on board the Wightlink ferry rush to douse the flames after a fire broke out on board the vessel this morning — Staff on board the Wightlink ferry rush to douse the flames after a fire broke out on board the vessel this morningCredit: Christopher Ison Photography

Thick plumes of black smoke could be seen rising from the ferry as it crossed the Solent — Thick plumes of black smoke could be seen rising from the ferry as it crossed the SolentCredit: Christopher Ison Photography

Passengers were evacuated to a separate part of the vessel while staff tried to contain the blaze, which had broken out on the bridge.

Fire crews were waiting at Fishborne on the Isle of Wight for the 9am Portsmouth car ferry as it berthed just after 10am.

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A spokeswoman for the ferry company Wightlink said it was extinguished by the crew within minutes and no one was injured.

It confirmed there were 52 passengers and 13 crew on board at the time.

There were 52 passengers and 13 crew members on board the Wightlink ferry when it caught alight — There were 52 passengers and 13 crew members on board the Wightlink ferry when it caught alightCredit: Christopher Ison Photography

The spokesperson added that emergency services met the vessel when it docked on the island as a "precaution".

Wightlink said it has launched an investigation into what caused the blaze.

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