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North Sea passenger ferry hit by fire North Sea passenger ferry hit by fire
(35 minutes later)
A number of people have been taken off a ferry by RAF helicopters in the North Sea after a fire broke out on board. Six crew members and a passenger have been flown to hospital after a fire broke out on a ferry in the North Sea, off the East Yorkshire coast.
Sqn Ldr Dave Webster said at least four people suffering from smoke inhalation had been winched off the MS King Seaways ferry, 30 miles north-east of Flamborough Head, in East Yorkshire. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the seven, who were winched off the MS King Seaways 30 miles north-east of Flamborough Head, were suffering from smoke inhalation.
Some 946 passengers and 27 crew had been on board when the fire - since put out - started at about 22:00 GMT.Some 946 passengers and 27 crew had been on board when the fire - since put out - started at about 22:00 GMT.
Humberside Police said it was thought a passenger had set fire to a cabin. The ferry is now returning to Tyneside.
It is not clear at this stage if the fire was started deliberately or accidentally. The MCA's Jo Rawlings told BBC News conditions for the rescue had been "fairly calm".
Humber Coastguard put the numbers who had been airlifted to hospital in Scarborough to be treated for smoke inhalation at seven crew members and one passenger. The passenger and crew members were airlifted to Scarborough and no-one was seriously injured.
Two RAF helicopters were sent to the area from Leconfield, near Beverley. Cabin fire
Helicopters from RAF Leconfield and RAF Boulmer were sent to the scene.
Sqn Ldr Webster said that when the RAF was called for assistance at 22:40 GMT, it was initially thought 23 people would need to be winched to safety but that figure had been downgraded.Sqn Ldr Webster said that when the RAF was called for assistance at 22:40 GMT, it was initially thought 23 people would need to be winched to safety but that figure had been downgraded.
RAF crew had lifted those affected off the ferry within an hour.RAF crew had lifted those affected off the ferry within an hour.
Two lifeboats sent from Bridlington and Filey to help with the rescue operation have since been stood down, the RNLI tweeted.Two lifeboats sent from Bridlington and Filey to help with the rescue operation have since been stood down, the RNLI tweeted.
Humberside Police said it was thought a passenger had set fire to a cabin.
It is not clear at this stage if the fire was started deliberately or accidentally.
Ferry operator DFDS Seaways runs a daily 17:00 GMT service from North Shields, Tyneside, arriving in Ijmuiden, the Netherlands, at 09:30 local time.
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