Fire breaks out aboard Cairnryan to Belfast ferry
Coastguard and lifeboat teams attend Stena Line ferry after minor fire breaks out in engine room.
A small fire broke out aboard the Stena Line ferry Superfast VIII on Monday at around 21:00 BST while the vessel was en route to Belfast from Cairnryan.
Coastguard and lifeboat teams were despatched to assist and Stena Line says the fire has now been extinguished. All the passengers have disembarked and there are no reports of any injuries.
The ferry had been due to arrive in Belfast at 21:45 local time, but arrived with coastguard and tugs standing by at 22:16.
Speaking to BBC News NI, passenger Chris Clotworthy said: “Obviously, all sorts of things went through one’s mind.”
“The boat did a complete 180 degree turn and looked to be heading back to Scotland, this was when it was level with Blackhead (in County Antrim). It then did another complete 180 and stopped.” He added that the atmosphere on board was relatively calm.
