Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has been called to Red Funnel’s Southampton terminal this afternoon (Thursday) to tackle a fire onboard the Red Osprey car ferry.
Island Echo is told that a fire has broken out in the galley (kitchen) area of the vessel, which is just about to dock in Southampton.
A total of 6 fire appliances, 5 specialist vehicles and 7 officers have been sent to the scene alongside resources from South Central Ambulance Service – including the Hazard Area Response Team (HART).
Associated British Ports are also on scene and the Harbour Master is afloat nearby.
It’s understood that passengers have been told to don lifejackets and proceed to muster stations on B deck – followed by instructions to evacuate to car deck level. All passengers are accounted for, according to fire control.
Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus sets are preparing to board the vessel and tackle the fire.
Red Funnel’s East Cowes-Southampton service is currently suspended until further notice whilst the fire is contained, extinguished and dampened down. Red Funnel’s Red Jet passenger service is already suspended due to a technical issue with both Red Jet 6 and Red Jet 7.
UPDATE @ 16:37 – A spokesperson for Red Funnel said:
“This afternoon there was a small, contained galley fire on board the 1500 Red Osprey from Southampton. No passengers were injured, and the vessel has now returned safely to Southampton where our crew is currently assisting passengers with disembarking.
“Emergency services have been called as a precautionary measure to assess and support the situation. In line with standard operating procedure, our crew deployed our emergency protocols, which included the distribution of life vests and instructions to proceed to muster stations.”
The spokesperson continued:
“As the safety of our passengers and crew is our first priority, the 16:00 sailing from Southampton and 1730 from East Cowes will be cancelled whilst we continue to work with emergency services. Due to the ongoing assessment, we anticipate there may be further disruptions to our sailings today and we will continue to update our live service status. We encourage customers to find alternative travel where possible.
“We sincerely apologise for any difficulties this may cause to customer journeys and are working toward resuming our normal timetable as quickly and as safely as possible.”
UPDATE @ 16:47 – Island Echo has been contacted by Isle of Wight resident, Councillor Michael Smith, who was onboard the Red Osprey at the time of the incident.
Michael, who was aboard with his 7-year-old son, was alerted to the incident by emergency bells and was told to don a lifejacket. Speaking to Island Echo, he has praised the quick and professional actions of the ship’s crew.
He said:
“It was maybe a little shaky but my 7-year-old was very calm. We’ve got to say big thank you to the Red Funnel Red Osprey crew for doing their professional work during the emergency.
“The main thing is that no one was hurt or injured at all.”
UPDATE @ 17:07 – Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that the fire was caused by a chip pan catching light in the galley, but the onboard auto suppression system had dealt with the blaze by the time the ferry had arrived alongside in Southampton.
Crews from St Mary’s, Redbridge, Hightown, Eastleigh, Romsey, Cosham and Portchester were all mobilised to the scene having been alerted to the incident at 15:20.
It’s known that firefighters boarded the ferry to escort crew and passengers safely from the ship and having carried out an inspection, found no further fire.
Crews have worked to clear smoke from the vessel and have now stood down.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Survey and Inspection team were notified and have attended the vessel.
This really has to be some kind of winde up lol redjet first breaks down then other one. Then something wrong with car ferry then fire on board . What is going on ?? Is someone sabotaging all the ferries ⛴
It seems like it. My son was stuck on the whightlink ferry Tuesday.
I’ve just checked to see if it’s April 1st
You could not make this up
Someone should of told Sid (the cafe owner only fools & horses) he’s not allowed to smoke in kitchen
Alternative arrangements?? It’s a long flipping swim. You couldn’t make it up could you?
Waiting for the fixed link mob to comment on this one
Because it’s the only via option. These ferries are not going to get better or cheaper. But I guess having to have a ferry makes the overners that moved here feel like they are on an island. Sod the people trying to make a living. Had to cancel an important meeting because of these jokers. Maybe I should leave the island I grew up on and move my company to the mainland. Leave the island to rot with all the retired NIMBY lot and their rising house prices.
Wait no longer a paid up member of the fixed link “MOB” is Here at your beck and call sir ! I wont insult you with the positive reasons for a fixed link as you might of heard them before but hey I have a new one, YOU DONT NEED TO WEAR A LIFE JACKET IN A TUNNEL ! ( but you can bring your own if you wish ! ) Serious question for your good self and those who are anti FL ers ” do you think if there was a public vote the anti fix linkers would be the majority ? If I would of asked the same question 40 years ago the Answer would of been yes most . Put it to a postal vote next year and you and your “anti “MOB” will be the Minority .
Scared they are right?
Chip pan fire? Totally preventable and unacceptable.
This is not the first fire on Red Osprey, the MCA seriously needs to look into this, my wife was on board today.
I presume toast was off the menu?
Sharpen your pitchforks and light them flaming torches: dam the solent at both ends, drain it and reclaim the land for building, no ferries, no fixed link.