Norway: Two Die After Engine Fire On Line

UK, Thursday September 15, 2011

Two people have died and several more been injured after a fire broke out in the engine room of a Norwegian fjord cruise ship.

Hundreds fled the ship after the fire was discovered.

At least nine people were hurt after the blaze broke out on the MS Nordlys, one of the Hurtigruten company's coastal cruisers.

Another four people are reported to be missing.

The ship was at sea off the southwestern city of Aalesund - parts of the city were sealed off because of the smoke.

"The fire is not under control yet," said Anders Bang Andersen, of the Rescue Co-ordination Centre.

More than 100 passengers were evacuated by lifeboat before the liner was escorted to port.

Passengers disembark from one of the rescue boats

Big clouds of black smoke could be seen billowing out of the docked ship as rescue crews took most of the 262 passengers off the boat.

Six people were taken to a local hospital, a spokeswoman said, with two suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.

Separate reports suggest another six people may need hospital treatment.

Eleven people remained on board to help firefighters deal with the blaze.