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North Sea passenger ferry hit by fire North Sea passenger ferry hit by fire
(35 minutes later)
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. Six crew members and a passenger have been flown to hospital after a fire broke out on board a ferry in the North Sea, off the East Yorkshire coast.
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. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the seven, who were winched off the MS King Seaways 30 miles north-east of Flamborough Head, had been 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 were on board when the fire - since put out - started at about 22:00 GMT.
The ferry is now returning to Tyneside.The ferry is now returning to Tyneside.
The MCA said the ferry was due to arrive back in port in North Shields between 04:00 GMT and 05:00 GMT.
Humber Coastguard is closely monitoring its journey and the ferry will be surveyed by the MCA for any lasting damage.
The MCA's Jo Rawlings told BBC News conditions for the rescue had been "fairly calm".The MCA's Jo Rawlings told BBC News conditions for the rescue had been "fairly calm".
The passenger and crew members were airlifted to Scarborough and no-one was seriously injured. The passenger and crew members had been airlifted to Scarborough and no-one was seriously injured, she said.
Cabin fireCabin fire
Helicopters from RAF Leconfield and RAF Boulmer were sent to the scene.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 Dave Webster said that when the RAF had been called for assistance at 22:40 GMT, it was initially thought 23 people would need to be winched to safety but that figure was later 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.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.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. Ferry operator DFDS Seaways runs a daily 17:00 GMT service from North Shields, arriving in Ijmuiden, the Netherlands, at 08:00 GMT (09:30 local time).
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